Recognizing the importance of education in the development of a nation, state, or society, the Central Government has recently placed significant focus on enhancing India’s education and skill development system. In alignment with this goal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Union Cabinet and approved a new scheme named PM SHRI Schools.
In this article, we will know all about the schemes, including beneficiary development and key features.
About PM SHRI Schools Scheme
What is the full form of PM SHRI?
▪ The new scheme PM SHRI Schools stands for “PM ScHools for Rising India.
When was the PM SHRI Schools launched?
▪ The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the development of Schools launched on September 07, 2022.
Objectives of the Scheme
▪ The PM Schools for Rising India is a new initiative aimed at improving over 14,500 schools across the country by strengthening selected existing schools managed by the Central Government, State Government, UT Government, or local bodies.
▪ These schools will serve as model schools, showcasing the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) in its entirety and offering guidance to nearby schools.
▪ The scheme aims to provide high-quality education to enhance students’ cognitive development and produce well-rounded individuals with the essential skills required for the 21st century.
Scheme Duration and Estimated Cost
▪ The PM SHRI Schools scheme will be implemented as a centrally sponsored program with a total project cost of Rs. 27360 crores, including a central contribution of Rs. 18,128 crores for the period from 2022-2027.
Beneficiaries of the PM SHRI Schools Scheme
▪ It is estimated that over 18 lakh students will directly benefit from the scheme, which will create an impact by providing mentorship and support to schools located near PM SHRI schools.
PM SHRI SCHOOL योजना के अंतर्गत 14500 विद्यालयों को आदर्श विद्यालय बनाने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध केंद्र की भाजपा सरकार#pmshrischool @PMOIndia @PandaJay @BajrangPShukla @siddharthanbjp @Virend_Sachdeva @hansrajhansHRH pic.twitter.com/QfsHnwuhGh
— PARAMJEET SINGH (@ParamjeetBJP) February 5, 2023
Key Features of PM SHRI Schools Scheme
▪ The PM SHRI Schools will take on a leadership role in their respective regions by providing mentorship to other schools.
▪ These schools will be developed with a focus on sustainability, incorporating features such as:
- Solar Panels
- LED lights
- Nutrition gardens
- Utilizing natural farming
- Efficient waste management practices
- Reducing plastic usage
- Conserving and harvesting water
- Studying environmentally-friendly traditions and practices
- Promoting sustainable living through climate change awareness events and hackathons.
▪ The pedagogy used in PM SHRI Schools will be hands-on, holistic, integrated, play-based (especially in the early years), driven by inquiry and discovery, centered on the learner, and designed to be flexible and enjoyable.
▪ The emphasis will be placed on ensuring that every child achieves the learning outcomes for their grade.
▪ Assessment will focus on understanding and applying knowledge to real-life situations and will be competency-based.
▪ Opportunities for collaboration with Sector Skill Councils and local industries will be explored to enhance employability and provide better employment prospects.
▪ To ensure the highest standards are maintained, a School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, which specifies key performance indicators for measuring outcomes. Regular evaluations of these schools will be conducted to guarantee quality and adherence to the desired standards.
Major Action in PM SHRI Schools Scheme
▪ Some of the crucial illustrative interventions in these schools will include the following:
▪ Quality and Innovation through Learning Enhancement Programme, Holistic ProgressCard, Innovative Pedagogies, Bagless days, Internships with Local artisans, Capacity building etc.
▪ Beneficiary-oriented entitlements under RTE Act. 100% of PM SHRI Schools will receive Science and Math Kits.
▪ Annual School Grants (Composite School grants, Library grant, Sports grant)
▪ Early Childhood Care and Education including Bal Vatika and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
▪ Equity and Inclusion including the provision of safe and appropriate infrastructure for girls and Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
▪ Encouraging flexibility in the choice of subjects offered to students.
▪ Encouraging mother tongue/local languages as a medium of instruction using technological interventions to help bridge language barriers.
▪ 100% of the PM SHRI Schools will be covered under Information and Communication Technology (ICT), smart classrooms and digital initiatives.
▪ Vocational interventions & Enhancing internship/entrepreneurship opportunities, especially with local industry.
▪ Saturation approach will be adopted to develop these schools with all modern facilities. Science labs, Library, ICT facilities, Vocational labs etc. will be provided to all the schools.
▪ Additionally, the plan involves integrating with already established programs, such as Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, and involving community involvement in enhancing school infrastructure and providing necessary amenities.
Selection Methodology
▪ The selection of PM SHRI schools will be conducted through a Challenge Mode competition, where schools compete for the opportunity to become model schools.
▪ Schools will be required to self-apply through the online portal. Only two schools, one elementary and one secondary or senior secondary will be selected per block or Urban Local Body (ULB), with a cap on the total number of schools selected across India.
▪ The schools selected for the PM SHRI scheme will be geo-tagged for selection and monitoring purposes, with the assistance of the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N). An expert committee will be established to make the final selections.
Implementation strategy
▪ PM SHRI Schools would be implemented through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, KVS & NVS. The other autonomous bodies would be involved on a specific project basis as required.
▪ These schools shall be monitored vigorously to assess progress and understand the challenges faced in the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.
PM SHRI Schools Scheme in a Nutshell
| Scheme Name | PM SHRI Schools Scheme |
| Full Name of the Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana. |
| Launced By | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Scheme Name | PM SHRI Schools Scheme |
| Total Budget | RS. 27360 Cr |
| Objective of the Scheme | Aims to provide high-quality education to enhance students’ cognitive development and produce well-rounded individuals |
| Beneficiaries | 18 lakh (1.8 million) students will directly benefit from the scheme |
| Scheme Duration | 2022-2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: PM SHRI stands for Pradhan Mantri Schools For Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana.
Answer: Total budget: Rs 27,360 crore, with Rs 18,128 crore as the Centre’s share.
Answer: The scheme aims to cultivate students into active, efficient, and valuable members of society, as outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, with a vision of creating a just, diverse, and tolerant community. It is estimated that over 2 million students will directly benefit from this initiative.
Answer: The initiative aims to foster modern infrastructure development, incorporating the latest in educational technology, such as smart classrooms, sports facilities, and more. The schools will be equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, smart classrooms, libraries, sports equipment, and art rooms to enhance the students’ learning experience.
