Why Won't Kerala Sign the PM SHRI Scheme?
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Synopsis
Kerala's Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, announced the state's refusal to sign the PM SHRI scheme, emphasizing the importance of federalism and policy alignment. With significant funding at stake, this decision highlights the ongoing tensions between state and central educational policies in India.
Key Takeaways
- Kerala will not sign the PM SHRI agreement.
- All major student unions support this decision.
- Legal action is being considered against the Centre.
- The PM SHRI scheme aims to upgrade 14,500 schools.
- 12,400 schools have already joined the initiative.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 25 (NationPress) - Kerala's Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, announced on Wednesday that the state will refrain from signing the agreement related to the Centre's flagship initiative, PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.
"During the meeting, all student unions, except for the ABVP (the student wing of the RSS), collectively decided that Kerala should not sign the agreement. Both the SFI (student wing of the CPI-M) and the KSU (student wing of the Congress) were in agreement," Sivankutty stated after consulting with recognized student unions.
He emphasized, "The federal principles are explicit, and it is the authority’s right to choose whether to sign or not; no one can compel someone to sign the agreement."
"Our operations are guided by a poll manifesto, which does not include any reference to this scheme, therefore we cannot proceed with signing it," the minister clarified.
As the meeting concluded, representatives of the ABVP, who had expressed a strong interest in signing the agreement, exited Sivankutty's office.
Furthermore, the minister indicated that the Kerala government would pursue legal action against the Centre for withholding Rs 1,500 crore allocated to the state under various centrally sponsored education initiatives.
The PM SHRI scheme, initiated by the Union Ministry of Education, aims to enhance over 14,500 existing schools nationwide, transforming them into exemplary institutions that reflect the essence of the National Education Policy-2020.
This initiative is executed as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with a total budget of Rs 27,360 crore, where Rs 18,128 crore is the central share, and the remaining amount is expected to be contributed by state governments.
To date, 12,400 schools from primary to higher secondary across 670 districts have joined the scheme. However, schools under state boards in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have not been included, as the necessary agreements have not been finalized.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the implications of Kerala's decision to not engage with the PM SHRI scheme. This stance reflects broader concerns regarding educational governance and the autonomy of states. While the central government's initiatives aim to enhance educational standards, states have valid reasons to seek alignment with their specific policies and needs. Balancing federal interests remains a challenge in India's diverse education landscape.
NationPress
25/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM SHRI scheme?
The PM SHRI scheme, initiated by the Union Ministry of Education, aims to upgrade over 14,500 schools across India into model institutions in line with the National Education Policy-2020.
Why did Kerala refuse to sign the PM SHRI agreement?
Kerala's Education Minister stated that the decision was made collectively by student unions and based on the state's poll manifesto, which did not include this scheme.
What is the financial aspect of the PM SHRI scheme?
The total project cost of the PM SHRI scheme is Rs 27,360 crore, with Rs 18,128 crore coming from the central government and the remainder from state governments.
How many schools are currently part of the PM SHRI scheme?
As of now, 12,400 schools from primary to higher secondary across 670 districts have become part of the PM SHRI scheme.
What actions will Kerala take against the Centre?
The Kerala government plans to seek legal recourse against the Centre for withholding Rs 1,500 crore allocated for various centrally sponsored education schemes.
