PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India)

Context:

• On the occasion of Teacher’s Day on 5^th September, Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister approved a new centrally sponsored scheme – PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India).
• It aims to develop more than 14500 schools across the country as PM SHRI Schools will showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020. Hence, they are expected to create a set of schools that would be able to act as “NEP labs”.

Key features of PM SHRI scheme:

• It aims to provide 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.
• These Schools will be developed as green schools, incorporating environment friendly aspects like solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, waste management, plastic free, water conservation and harvesting, study of traditions/practices related to protection of environment, climate change related hackathon and awareness generation to adopt sustainable lifestyle.
• Focus will be on learning outcomes of every child in every grade and assessment at all levels will be based on conceptual understanding
• Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry for enhancing employability and providing better employment opportunities will be explored.
• A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular interval will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards.

How it is implementing?

• PM SHRI Schools would be implemented through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).
• These schools shall be monitored vigorously to assess progress and understand the challenges faced in implementation of National Education Policy 2020.

How PM SHRI schools will be different from existing government-run schools:

• As per the plan, the upgraded schools are expected to be superior in terms of infrastructure.
• They will be equipped with labs, smart classrooms, libraries, sports equipment, art room,, and shall also be developed as green schools with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure, and integration of organic lifestyle in curriculum.
• These schools will also “offer mentorship” to other schools in their vicinity.
• In terms of the quality of education, there will be special modules on improving foundational literacy and numeracy.
• Each school will be linked/ connected to higher education institutions for mentoring, and there will be provisions for internships with local artisans.

Identification of PM shri school under the scheme:

• The PM SHRI scheme will be application-based, which means states will have to identify schools for upgradation under the scheme.
• Subsequently, schools will be required to self-apply online. The portal will be opened four times a year, once every quarter.
• According to the selection methodology decided by the central government, states and UTs interested in getting included under the scheme will have to first agree to implement the NEP in its entirety.
• Only those schools that meet a certain benchmark will qualify — the qualification criteria will include around 60 parameters from the availability of electricity to toilets.
• Teams of state government officials, KVs, and JNVs will verify the claims made by the applicant school through a physical inspection. “Maximum two schools (one Elementary & one Secondary/ Senior Secondary) would be selected per block/ ULB…” (urban local body) as per the plan. The final call will be taken by an expert committee.

As per the union government Pedagogy adopted in PM shri 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.

Source:  Indian Express

Previous Year Question

Q.1) What is the purpose of ‘Vidyanjali Yojana’? (2017)

1. To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India.
2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 2 and 3 only