PrintFriendly
More than 14500 schools across the country to be developed as PM Schools for Rising India
On the occasion of National Teachers’ Day, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced a new initiative – PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India). This will be a new centrally sponsored scheme for upgradation and development of more than 14500 Schools across the country by strengthening the selected existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies. PM SHRI Schools will showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020 and act as exemplar schools and also offer mentorship to other schools in their vicinity. The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development, but also creating holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st century skills.
Pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based (particularly, in the foundational years) inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable. Focus will be on achieving proficiency in learning outcomes of every child in every grade. Assessment at all levels will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real life situations and will be competency-based.
These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure including labs, smart classrooms, libraries, sports equipment, art room etc. which is inclusive and accessible. These schools shall also be developed as green schools with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure and integration of organic lifestyle in curriculum.
They will provide leadership in their respective regions in providing high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment that takes care of the diverse background, multilingual needs, and different academic abilities of children and makes them active participants in their own learning process as per the vision of NEP 2020.
The Union Government has also planed to set up playschools so that there are at least two schools in every block area. Like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, the centre and state will follow a 60:40 budget-sharing pattern. The total central share will be Rs 18, 128 crore.
In a media interaction Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said,“The Government of India has given a new distribution mechanism Special Nodal Accounts for specific schemes and departments. All states have agreed to this plan because all the benefits will directly reach the beneficiaries that are schools and students,” added Shri Pradhan. As per the government’s claim, more than 18 lakh students are expected to be direct beneficiaries of the scheme. The government will select PM SHRI schools through “challenge mode” wherein schools compete for support to become exemplar schools. A maximum of two schools, including one elementary and one secondary or senior secondary school, will be selected in every block. The schools will be selected based on 60 “point-based” criteria like availability of drinking water, playground, boundary wall and more. Among public schools maintained by centre, state and local bodies including Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya will be selected for improvement. In addition, a School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed to measure the learning outcomes in these schools. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular intervals will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards. “Teachers will be able to assess which student is facing trouble in physics, English or mathematics,” said Shri Pradhan.