Kerala will officially join the PM SHRI scheme, according to V Sivankutty, the state”s General Education Minister. This decision aims to secure much-needed central funds for educational programs while assuring that it will not alter Kerala”s current educational policies.
During a recent announcement in Thiruvananthapuram, Minister Sivankutty emphasized that participation in the union government initiative is a pragmatic approach to obtaining the outstanding funds owed to the state. He reiterated that the state”s educational framework would remain intact despite the involvement in the scheme.
The minister”s statement has sparked varied reactions within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). While the Communist Party of India (CPI), a significant ally in the LDF, has expressed concerns regarding this shift, Revenue Minister K Rajan, representing the CPI in the cabinet, noted that the issue had not been formally discussed within the cabinet.
The BJP welcomed the announcement, criticizing the CPI(M)-led government”s prior resistance to the scheme. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP”s state chief, remarked that the government”s change of stance indicated an acknowledgment of the federal government”s position and the National Education Policy”s validity.
Minister Sivankutty argued that every citizen in the country deserves access to central funds, and there is no justification for Kerala to refrain from this support. He highlighted that the state is owed approximately Rs 1,466 crore in central funds for various educational initiatives, asserting that children in Kerala deserve these resources.
He clarified that the state”s decision to join the PM SHRI scheme is purely a means to secure these funds, and it will not compromise Kerala”s established educational policies. He pointed out that the state can effectively implement educational programs and ensure the salaries of over 7,000 teachers are paid without these funds.
Minister Sivankutty also stated that Kerala has previously shown its commitment to educational integrity by developing alternative textbooks when the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) attempted to modify historical narratives.
When questioned about discussions with the CPI prior to the announcement, the minister did not provide a straightforward answer. The PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) initiative is a federal program designed to enhance the quality of selected schools nationwide, with plans to strengthen and upgrade over 14,500 schools operated by various governing bodies.
Following the announcement, CPI leaders voiced their unawareness of the decision. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam reaffirmed that the party”s position remained unchanged, indicating that the Cabinet had not reached a decision on joining the PM SHRI scheme. He expressed the need for careful consideration before proceeding, as the state opposes the National Education Policy, which he believes aligns with the ideology of the RSS and promotes communal and commercial interests.
Rajan echoed these sentiments, stating that no official decision had been made regarding the PM SHRI scheme, emphasizing the necessity of thorough consultations on such matters. Despite federal pressure, he affirmed that Kerala will not yield to external demands.
In contrast, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar characterized Kerala”s choice to join the PM SHRI scheme as a belated but wise decision, criticizing the CPI(M) and the government for previously denying students the advantages of federal educational programs. He accused the government of spreading misinformation about the central funds and of opposing the initiative while simultaneously requesting financial support.
The BJP”s youth wing, the ABVP, also expressed approval of the state government”s choice, noting that approximately 336 schools would directly benefit from the PM SHRI scheme, aligning them with the standards of Kendriya Vidyalayas.
