PM ScHools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana

Context

• On the occasion of National Teachers’ Day, Prime Minister announced a new initiative – PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India).

PM-SHRI Scheme

• It is a new centrally sponsored scheme and will showcase the components of the National Education Policy, 2020.
  • A Centrally Sponsored Scheme is one where the cost of implementation is likely to be split in the 60:40 ratio among the Union government and the states/Union Territories.
  • In Northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and UTs without legislatures, the Centre’s contribution can go up to 90 per cent.
  • For instance, the mid-day meal scheme (PM Poshan) or the PM Awas Yojana.
• Under it, as many as 14,500 schools across states and Union Territories will be redeveloped to reflect the key features of the NEP, 2020.
  • The NEP envisages a curricular structure and teaching style divided into various stages – foundational, preparatory, middle and secondary. 
• PM SHRI schools will be an upgrade of existing schools run by the Centre, states, UTs and local bodies. The PM SHRI schools can either be KVs, JNVs, state government schools or even those run by municipal corporations.

Significance

• The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development but also to create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills.
• These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure including labs, smart classrooms & other modern skills. 
• The pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based, inquiry-driven, and discovery-oriented.

Source: TH