Haryana is planning to launch a new CM Shri Schools initiative modelled on the Centre’s PM Shri Schools, Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda told the state Assembly during the Budget Session.

The proposed schools will follow the CBSE pattern, with the state government seeking to develop an education model focused on improved academic standards and modern schooling practices.

Dhanda made the announcement while responding to a question raised by a member of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

CM Shri Schools to Follow CBSE Pattern

The Education Minister said the Haryana government would soon begin the CM Shri Schools initiative along the lines of the existing PM Shri Schools programme.

According to the minister, the proposed institutions will follow the CBSE pattern. The announcement indicates an effort by the state government to create a separate network of schools based on the academic and institutional model associated with PM Shri Schools.

Further details regarding the number of schools, locations, infrastructure and implementation schedule were not provided in the statement.

25% Seats Reserved for EWS and DG Students

The minister also informed the Assembly about admissions for students from economically weaker and disadvantaged sections in private schools.

He said the Education Department has reserved 25% of entry-level seats in private schools for students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Disadvantaged Groups (DG) under the Right to Education framework.

The provision is intended to facilitate access to private-school education for eligible children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Over 14,000 RTE Applications Received

Dhanda said 14,127 applications were received during the last academic session for admission to private schools under the Right to Education Act.

Of these applicants, 11,803 successful candidates were allotted private schools, according to the figures presented by the minister.

The data provides an indication of the demand for RTE-linked admissions in the state and the scale of the admission process handled by the Education Department.

Focus on School Education in Haryana

The proposed CM Shri Schools initiative comes alongside the state's efforts to expand access to quality education while implementing provisions for children from economically weaker and disadvantaged communities.

The government is yet to provide a detailed roadmap for the new schools, including their proposed locations, infrastructure standards, admission criteria and the number of institutions to be established.

Those details are likely to determine how the initiative will operate alongside existing government schools and the PM Shri Schools network.

RTE Admissions Remain a Key Issue

The figures presented in the Assembly also highlight the continuing demand for admissions under the RTE framework.

With thousands of applications received in a single academic cycle, implementation of the 25% entry-level reservation remains an important part of ensuring access to private schools for eligible children.

The Haryana government's next challenge will be to ensure that the proposed CM Shri Schools initiative and existing RTE provisions translate into wider access and improved educational outcomes.