What is PM SHRI, the new centrally sponsored education scheme?

Key Points of the Scheme:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken yet another step toward shaping India’s future. On 5 September, Teacher’s Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  announced the Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana under which 14,500 schools from across the country will be upgraded as PM-SHRI schools.
• The Prime Minister said the PM-SHRI schools will have a modern, transformational and holistic method of imparting education. “(They will) Emphasise on a discovery oriented, learning centric way of teaching.
• These schools will be upgraded with laboratories, smart classrooms, libraries, sports equipment, and art rooms. They will be developed as green schools with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure and integration of the organic lifestyle as part of the curriculum.
• The scheme aims to provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment that takes care of the diverse background, multilingual needs and different academic abilities of children. It will ensure that students are participants in their learning process, according to the vision of NEP 2020.

What will be the Centre’s contribution?

• Since this school is sponsored by the Centre, it will bear 60 per cent of the cost of implementation. The remaining 40 per cent will be borne by the state or UT. In Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, the contribution of the Centre can go up to 90 per cent.

What are other central schemes for students?

• In September 2021, approved a new meal scheme known as the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme (PM Poshan Scheme) for government and government-aided schools. The original midday meal scheme is part of this programme.
• As part of this initiative, the Centre provides hot-cooked meals to students. The scheme is expected to benefit about 118 million children studying in classes 1 to 8 across the country.
• There are also scholarship schemes like the PRAGATI (Scholarship for Girl Students) and PM Yashasvi Scheme for students from the Other Backward Classes, economically backward classes, and non-notified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes among others.