Kerala to join PM SHRI scheme, says Education Minister Sivankutty

Digital Desk

Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty announced that the state will participate in the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme to access overdue central funds. He emphasized that joining the scheme is a practical step to secure funds and will not alter Kerala’s existing educational policies.

The move comes amid internal differences in the ruling LDF, with CPI leaders expressing reservations. Revenue Minister K. Rajan said the matter was not discussed in the Cabinet, while CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam reaffirmed that the party’s opposition to the scheme remains unchanged, citing concerns that the National Education Policy (NEP) reflects RSS ideology and could promote “communalisation and commercialisation” of education.

Central funds and implementation
Sivankutty highlighted that Kerala is owed ₹1,466 crore from the Centre for various educational programmes. The funds are crucial for implementing educational initiatives and paying the salaries of over 7,000 teachers. He stressed that while the state will join PM SHRI to access these funds, it will not implement anything contrary to its existing policies.

He recalled Kerala’s earlier initiative of preparing alternative textbooks in response to perceived distortions in NCERT books, reinforcing the state’s commitment to its education standards.

PM SHRI scheme details
The Union government’s PM SHRI scheme aims to upgrade over 14,500 central, state, and local body-run schools across India, enhancing infrastructure, teaching quality, and learning outcomes to align them with Kendriya Vidyalaya standards.

Political reactions

The BJP welcomed Kerala’s decision, while criticizing the CPI(M)-led government for “two years of unnecessary opposition and stubbornness” before joining the scheme. State chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar called it a belated acknowledgment that the NEP and Union government initiatives were correct, adding that around 336 schools in Kerala will directly benefit.
CPI leaders reiterated the need for careful consultation, stating that no official Cabinet decision had been taken yet regarding joining PM SHRI.

Sivankutty maintained that Kerala’s participation is a practical measure to secure central funds, not a shift in policy, and affirmed that the state government will continue to protect the welfare of its students and teachers while implementing educational programmes.