AIR Spotlight is an insightful program featured daily on the All India Radio Newsonair. In this program, many eminent panellists discuss issues of importance which can be quite helpful in IAS exam preparation. This article features a discussion on the PM-SHRI Yojana announced by the government and its impact on the New Education Policy.

Participants: 

1. Dr. J. S. Rajput, Former Director, NCERT
2. Sonu Sood, AIR Correspondent

Context: Prime Minister announced PM-SHRI Yojana.

PM-SHRI Yojana

• On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) was launched.
• Under this yojana, 14500 schools across the country will be selected and upgraded. These schools will become model schools and will encapsulate the full spirit of the New Education Policy 2020.
• These schools will be among those schools that are managed by State/Union Territory Government or local bodies.
• PM SHRI schools will have modern infrastructure and a transformational and holistic methodology for imparting education.
• These schools will emphasize more on discovery-oriented experiential learning.
• Moreover, the assessment of the students at all levels will be based on the conceptual understanding and application of knowledge in real-life situations.

For more information on PM SHRI, read here: PIB Summary & Analysis for UPSC IAS Exam for 5th Sep 2022

Significance of PM-SHRI for the education ecosystem of the country:

• PM SHRI schools will be equipped to address all the aspects of the New Education Policy. The objective behind opening these schools is the implementation of NEP 2020 as:
  • The key concerns in the realm of the education sector like learning environment, multi-disciplinarity, and enquiry-based approach have been appropriately addressed in the NEP 2020.
  • It is the perfect articulation of digital aspirations and the conditions under which the young generation of the country would be working for the next twenty years.
• They can be role models to other schools on the lines of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalayas. Moreover, the products of these schools have established a name for themselves in various fields.
• These schools can be the places that inspire and prepare young people to become agents of change.
• These schools are the result of in-depth deliberation from all the stakeholders. The magnitude of consultation that took place regarding policy formulation was immense. Hence it is speculated that it will cover a vast range of dimensions to come out with great results.
• PM SHRI initiative can become the ignition point in exploring and improving the credibility of government schools. This would further help in reducing the gap between the private and public funded schools.
• The PM SHRI schools can help other schools in identifying and adopting NEP 2020 smoothly and efficiently.
• The role of the teaching community in bringing change in the teaching pedagogy and the progressive mindset of teachers is crucial for the success of this initiative.
• The competency-based assessment will make the students more skilled and future-ready.
• These schools will help children in finding out their interests, encourage them, and help them pursue a career in that particular field.

Steps to be taken in this regard:

• The schools should be carefully selected to become PM SHRI schools.
• While selecting the schools, one criterion that can be considered is the ability of the school to provide leadership to other schools in the region.
• It should be ensured that the initial enthusiasm persists and enhances with time, unlike other similar school initiatives that could not sustain for long periods of time.
• More focus should be given to states that are either negligent or performing poorly in the field of literacy and education.
• The success of the scheme will largely depend on the response of the state government.
• States should also come up with their own targets and the aim should be genuine upgradation rather than the political upgradation of the school.
• Teacher recruitment is a major step that should be considered by the state government as the teacher-pupil ratio is dismal in India.

Important reforms that are required in the education sector:

• As per this policy, the system of ad-hoc/part-time teachers/ Shiksha Karmi should be abolished.
• The success of any educational reform depends on teacher training, as teachers make all difference. Therefore it is important to prepare teachers and assure them respect and honour.
• Teachers should be given opportunities for professional development and growth.
• State governments should give adequate priority to the primary and secondary schools which are under their ambit. The political leadership at all levels should come forward to ensure a robust public education system.

Conclusion:

PM SHRI schools can provide the right education in the right environment and help develop a knowledge society. This scheme has the potential to provide an era of high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful environment that can create holistic and all-around individuals equipped with the appropriate skills.

Read previous AIR Spotlight articles in the link.

AIR Spotlight: PM-SHRI Yojana:- Download PDF Here