What does PM SHRI mean exactly?
As part of the centrally funded PM SHRI Schools initiative, 14,500 schools will be renovated in states and union territories to reflect the key components of the NEP, 2020. The PM Schools for Rising India.
At a conference the Ministry of Education held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in June, the proposal was first discussed with the education ministers of the states and UTs.
The PM SHRI will serve as “NEP labs,” even if there are excellent schools like Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas.
NEP characteristics:
The National Education Plan envisions a curriculum structure and teaching approach organised into basic, preparatory, intermediate, and secondary levels (NEP).
Play-based learning will be used in the early years (preschool and grades I and II).
Brief reading material and structured classroom teaching will be provided throughout the preparation stage (III–V). Middle school students will be introduced to subject teachers (VI-VIII).
There won’t be a clear distinction between the arts, sciences, or other fields at the secondary level (IX–XII).
What distinguishes PM SHRI schools from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas or Kendriya Vidyalayas?
Both Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are wholly supported by the Union government through Central Sector Schemes, and both are overseen by the Ministry of Education of the Center.
Unlike JNVs, which were created to support gifted students in rural portions of the nation, KVs mostly serve children of Union government personnel stationed in states and UTs.
In contrast, compared to current institutions supported by the Center, governments, UTs, and neighbourhood organisations, PM SHRI schools will be an upgrade.
Therefore, KVs, JNVs, state governments, or even municipal corporations could manage PM SHRI schools.
Where will the schools that PM SHRI will operate be situated?
Despite claims that the PM SHRI schools will also “provide mentorship” to other schools nearby, the Center has not yet made the list of the schools that have been selected for this reason public.
These institutions will have access to contemporary resources like labs, smart classrooms, libraries, sporting equipment, art studios, etc.
Additionally, it will be built using energy-efficient materials, recycle garbage, conserve water, and integrate curricula for an organic way of life.
What is a centrally sponsored scheme?
A programme that is centrally funded is one in which the federal government and the states/union territories normally split the costs of implementation 60:40.
The noon meal programme and PM Awas Yojana are two instances of centrally backed programmes (PM Poshan).
The Center’s contribution may be close to 90% for the Northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and UTs without legislatures.
