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Maharashtra official clarifies figure shared in Lok Sabha regarding PM-SHRI schools in state is wrong

The data was provided on Monday by Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in response to an unstarred question by seven opposition MPs from Maharashtra

The answer also stated that 3,05,210 students were enrolled in the 860 PM-SHRI Schools in the state, and the total faculty strength was 9,141 (File)

Officials from the Maharashtra Prathamik Shikshan Parishad (MPSP) clarified that the figure shared in a Lok Sabha answer, that only 450 out of 860 (52%) of PM-SHRI Schools in Maharashtra have playgrounds, was erroneous. The data was provided on Monday by Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in response to an unstarred question by seven opposition MPs from Maharashtra about the infrastructure availability in these schools.

A senior official at MPSP clarified that a playground existed on 783 out of the 860 PM-SHRI schools, and 450 grounds were being further developed under the PM-SHRI scheme. Dindori MP Bhaskar Bhagare, who had posed the question, slammed wrong data being provided in the Lok Sabha. He told The Indian Express, “Look at the kind of wrong information they provide. In the highest House of the country, the information provided should be perfect.”

What was the question?

In the question, MPs Supriya Sule, Nilesh Lanke, Varsha Gaikwad, Bhaskar Bhagare, Bajrang Sonwane, Sanjay Patil, and Dhairyaheel Mohite Patil asked Minister to provide, among other information, the number of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and PM-SHRI Schools currently operational in the state of Maharashtra. Details about student enrolment, infrastructure availability, and faculty strength in these schools, and district-wise information were also sought.

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In the reply, data regarding ‘INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABILITY IN 860 PM SHRI SCHOOLS IN MAHARASHTRA’ was shared, with 450 out of the 860 schools shown to have a playground.

The official said, “Total PM-SHRI schools in the state are 860, and in 783 of these simple grounds are available. Development of the playground sanctioned under PM-SHRI is 450. This was the data that we have provided. 450 grounds are being strengthened under this scheme.”

Bhagre explained why the question was asked, “We asked this question to know the reality about claims of ideal schools being developed under PM-SHRI. This was an unstarred question, if it was a starred question then there would have been a debate. Now we can give a letter to the Education Ministry that the given information is wrong and that a survey should again be conducted and proper information should be provided.”

The answer also stated that 3,05,210 students were enrolled in the 860 PM-SHRI Schools in the state, and the total faculty strength was 9,141. Nashik district had the highest number of PM-SHRI Schools at 47 followed by Yavatmal at 42, Nanded and Solapur at 39, and Pune at 38. Mumbai Suburban had the lowest number of PM-SHRI Schools (2) while Dhule district had 10 such schools.

Soham Shah

Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More

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