Education Minister launches PM SHRI scheme in Odisha

Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme has been launched in Odisha. The scheme is intended to develop thousands of schools across the country. Out of 97 Central Schools and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Odisha, the scheme will be implemented in 63 institutes run by the Centre in the first phase.

How the PM SHRI scheme will contribute to the development of thousands of schools across the country?

The Central government has asked all the states and Union Territories to sign MoUs with the Department of School Education and Literacy of the Ministry of Education for implementation of the scheme. The Odisha government, however, is yet to do it.

For 2023-24, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 50.8 crore for the state's schools run by the Centre, of which Rs 12.7 crore has already been released in the first instalment. A total of Rs 7.27 crore was released for 37 central schools and Rs 5.43 crore for 26 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.

The government is providing about Rs 70,000 crore to various states each year for development of the education sector and Odisha is getting nearly Rs 4,200 crore each year under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and PM Poshan schemes.

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Expressing displeasure over non-implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in Odisha government-run schools, the Union Minister said development of education and students is a combined responsibility and the state government should come forward for this. The Centre had launched the PM SHRI scheme on September 7, 2022.

The PM SHRI scheme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education to transform schools into centres of excellence. The scheme aims to provide schools with the infrastructure, resources, and support they need to deliver quality education to students.

Under the scheme, each school will be provided with a grant of Rs 1.5 crore to be used for infrastructure development, such as construction of new classrooms, libraries, and laboratories. The schools will also be provided with funds for the purchase of books, teaching materials, and technology equipment.

The Central government will provide 60% of the funding for the PM SHRI scheme, while the remaining 40% will be provided by the state governments.

The Odisha government is yet to sign an MoU with the Ministry of Education for implementation of the PM SHRI scheme. The Union Minister has urged the state government to come forward and partner with the Centre in this important initiative.

The PM SHRI scheme is a welcome initiative that has the potential to transform the education landscape in Odisha. The state government should take all necessary steps to ensure that the scheme is implemented effectively and that all schools in the state benefit from it. (News Source)