The Kerala government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central government to implement the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme — a major shift after months of political hesitation.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) earlier feared that joining the scheme would indirectly lead to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in the state. However, the government has now opted for participation to ensure Kerala does not lose pending central assistance for education development.
What Kerala Gains Under PM SHRI
Under the scheme, two schools from each block will be selected to be upgraded with:
✅ Modern infrastructure
✅ Smart classrooms & labs
✅ Improved teaching-learning facilities
Each approved school will receive ₹1 crore per year for five years.
Kerala’s Minister for General Education & Labour V Sivankutty confirmed the decision and noted the move was crucial to secure the Centre’s pending share of ₹1,500 crore for educational programmes in the state.
Political Resistance Within LDF
Despite approval from the CPI(M) and Education Department earlier, coalition partner CPI strongly opposed the move, citing:
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Fear of NEP enforcement through federal schemes
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Centralisation concerns due to mandatory PM SHRI signboards at schools
After repeated reversals, the final approval was granted without placing the matter before the state Cabinet, sources said — signalling deep internal conflict over the decision.
A Pragmatic Turn for Kerala’s Schools
Though politically sensitive, the decision is expected to:
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Boost infrastructure across government schools
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Benefit thousands of students
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Strengthen the state’s long-term education ecosystem
This marks a balancing act — preserving state autonomy while ensuring federal cooperation for development.
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