The central government is considering expanding the scope of the PM-SHRI school scheme to improve the standard of school education across the country. The Ministry of Education is planning to establish a PM-SHRI school or a school with similar facilities within every 5 to 10 kilometers. Currently, most blocks in the country already have two PM-SHRI schools developed. A new announcement in this direction may be made soon.
Preparation for Scheme Expansion
The Ministry of Education is considering expanding the PM-SHRI school scheme with the aim of providing quality school education across the country. According to sources in the ministry, the government plans to ensure that in the coming years, there is a school within every 5 to 10 kilometers that possesses all the fundamental facilities related to modern education.
This initiative aligns with the goal of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which recommends the establishment of school clusters or complexes across the country by 2025. According to the policy, these schools should have smart classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and appropriate infrastructure for multi-dimensional activities such as sports, art, and music.
Current Status of PM-SHRI Schools
The PM-SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) school scheme was launched in 2022. Its aim was to equip existing government schools across the country with state-of-the-art facilities and develop them as excellent schools. Currently, two PM-SHRI schools have been established in each block of almost all states and union territories of the country, although Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are not yet included in this scheme.
According to government figures, a total of 14,500 PM-SHRI schools have been developed across the country so far. Each of these schools has been provided with a special financial assistance of two crore rupees to upgrade them. The schools were selected through a competitive process, and states must accept the condition of implementing the National Education Policy to join this scheme.
Increased Opportunities for Children
The Ministry of Education believes that the expansion of this scheme will also provide children in rural and semi-urban areas with the opportunity to participate in activities such as art, music, science, and sports, and to hone their talents. Currently, there are many places where children's talents do not come to the fore due to the lack of modern facilities.
According to sources, the ministry is assessing the interest and response of the states in this direction, and the next phase of the scheme may be announced by the end of the year. Under this, new schools will not be opened, but existing schools will be upgraded and developed as PM-SHRI schools.
