The PM SHRI Scheme: Cultivating Model Schools for a Rising India

The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, launched by the Government of India in 2022, marks a significant stride in the nation's efforts to revamp school education. This centrally sponsored scheme is a visionary initiative aimed at establishing more than 14,500 existing schools as exemplary institutions that will showcase the complete spirit and implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Vision and Core Objectives

The primary objective of the PM SHRI scheme is to develop these selected schools into models that provide a high-quality, inclusive, and joyful learning environment. They are envisioned to nurture students as engaged, productive, and contributing citizens equipped with crucial 21st-century skills.

The schools will serve as centres of excellence, offering mentorship to other schools in their vicinity to uplift the overall quality of education in the region. The scheme focuses on five key pillars of transformation: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment; Access and Infrastructure; Human Resources and School Leadership; Inclusive Practices and Gender Equity; and Management, Monitoring and Governance.

Key Features and Transformation

The transformation under the PM SHRI scheme is holistic, touching upon every aspect of school functioning:

• • NEP 2020 Aligned Pedagogy: The teaching methodology will be fundamentally changed to be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based, inquiry-driven, and learner-centric. The focus shifts from rote learning to competency-based assessment and conceptual understanding.
• • Modern and Green Infrastructure: PM SHRI schools are set to receive significant infrastructure upgrades, including smart classrooms, computer and vocational labs, and libraries. Critically, they will also be developed as 'Green Schools', incorporating environment-friendly features such as solar panels, water conservation, waste management, and nutrition gardens.
• • Focus on 21st-Century Skills: The curriculum will integrate vocational education, skill labs, and digital learning tools, ensuring students are prepared for the future workforce. There is an emphasis on exposing students to Indian languages and local industries for skill development.
• • Challenge Mode Selection: The schools are selected through a competitive 'Challenge Mode' process, where Central, State, UT, and local body schools compete. States/UTs must first sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Government, committing to implement the NEP 2020.

Funding and Implementation

The scheme, set to be implemented over five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27, is a centrally sponsored one. For general states, the funding is shared in a 60:40 ratio (Centre: State/UT), with a higher central contribution for North-Eastern, Himalayan states, and Union Territories without a legislature. The selection process is meticulous, involving geo-tagging and verification, followed by a final selection by an expert committee.

The PM SHRI scheme is more than just an infrastructure project; it is a movement to create model learning ecosystems that reflect the aspirations of the NEP 2020. Its success is crucial for establishing benchmarks for quality education and fostering an equitable and modern school system across the nation.