Context

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a new centrally sponsored scheme, aimed at upgrading 14,500 schools across India to showcase the components of the National Education Policy, 2020.

About

What is the PM-SHRI scheme?

• The scheme will be called PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India).
• Under the said scheme, as many as 14,500 schools across states and Union Territories will be redeveloped to reflect the key features of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
• We already have exemplary schools like NavodayaVidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas. The PM SHRI is envisaged to act as“NEP labs”.

What is a centrally sponsored scheme? A centrally sponsored scheme is one where the cost of implementation is likely to split in the 60:40 ratio among the Union government and the states/Union Territories. It can vary for Northeastern and Himalayan states upto 90% for Centre’s share.

Key Features of NEP in School Education:

• The NEP envisages a curricular structure and teaching style divided into various stages:
• Foundational: The foundational years (pre-school and grades I, and II) will involve play-based learning.
• Preparatory: At the preparatory level (III-V), light textbooks are to be introduced along with some formal classroom teaching.
• Middle: Subject teachers are to be introduced at the middle level (VI-VIII).
• Secondary: Secondary stage (IX-XII) will be multidisciplinary with no hard separation between arts and sciences or other disciplines.

How will PM SHRI schools be different from existing schools of excellence?

• PM SHRI schools will be an upgrade of existing schools run by the Centre, states, UTs and local bodies like KendriyaVidyalayas or JawaharNavodayaVidyalayas.
• This essentially means that PM SHRI schools can either be KVs, JNVs, state government schools or even those run by municipal corporations.

Where will the PM SHRI schools come up?

• The Centre has not yet released the list of schoolsthat have been chosen for this purpose.
• The PM SHRI schools will also “offer mentorship” to other schools in their vicinity.
• These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure including labs, smart classrooms, sports equipment, etc.
• They shall also be developed as green schools with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure and integration of organic lifestyle in curriculum.