Why Kerala has locked horns with Centre over the implementation of PM SHRI scheme

What is the PM SHRI scheme?

PM SHRI is a scheme under the Union Ministry of School Education and Literacy. It aims to upgrade more than 14,500 existing schools across the country, and transform them into model institutions that embody the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The scheme “is to be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a total project cost of Rs 27360 crore which includes a central share of Rs 18128 crore for the period of five years from year 2022-23 to 2026-27,” according to a September 2022 press release by the Centre. States will bear 40% of the project expenditure, like any other Centre scheme.

So far, 12,400 schools from primary level to higher secondary, in 670 districts across the country, have become part of the scheme.

However, schools under state boards in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have not been part of the scheme. That’s because these states have refused to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union School Education Ministry to implement the PM SHRI scheme.

Why has Kerala not signed the MoU?

CPI(M)-le Kerala government has opposed the PM SHRI scheme mainly because it is part of the NEP 2020. The government sees NEP as a tool for the saffronisation of education in the country. Moreover, it also argues that the PM SHRI scheme will bring the state schools under the control of the Centre.

The Kerala government has said that it has already implemented many elements of the PM SHRI scheme. For instance, on the infrastructure front, Kerala schools, both government and aided ones, have made major progress over the last nine years. The state already has 40,000 smart classrooms in numerous schools, which have a broadband connection.

Why does Kerala want to take legal action?

The Kerala government has said the Centre has withheld release of Rs 1,500 crore aid to the state education sector since 2023-24, primarily under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme (SSA) — an Indian government scheme designed to ensure universal elementary education (UEE) for children aged 6 to 14.

Sivankutty has claimed that the lack of funds will severely hit several schemes being implemented in the schools, and impact students of Kerala.