The Odisha government has agreed to join hands with the Central government to roll out the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. This collaboration was formalised with an announcement from the Ministry of Education on Wednesday, indicating Odisha’s readiness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre. This step is crucial in the scheme’s deployment nationwide, highlighting Odisha’s role as a forward-thinking participant in educational advancement.
With this agreement, Odisha moves ahead in the national educational reform agenda, distinguishing itself from West Bengal, Kerala, and Delhi, which remain the only states yet to sign an MoU with the Union Ministry of Education for the PM SHRI scheme. This initiative directly reflects the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision, aiming to revolutionise the Indian school education system by setting up model schools across the country. These schools are envisaged to serve as benchmarks for quality education, integrating holistic learning approaches that cater to the all-round development of students.
The PM SHRI scheme is not just another educational program but a strategic endeavour to enhance schools’ infrastructure, curriculum, teaching methodologies, and technological integration. It aspires to create an ecosystem where schools become the cradle for nurturing future generations, equipped with knowledge, skills, and values essential for the 21st century. The scheme underscores the importance of access to quality education for every child, aiming to bridge the gap between urban and rural educational standards.
Odisha sets a precedent for educational excellence and innovation by agreeing to implement the PM SHRI scheme. This partnership between the Odisha government and the Centre is a testament to their commitment to uplifting the educational landscape, promising a brighter future for students nationwide. The MoU, to be signed before the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year, marks the start of a new era in school education, emphasising collaborative efforts to realise the goals of the NEP 2020.
Implementing the PM SHRI scheme in Odisha is expected to catalyse a transformative change in the educational sector, making schools more inclusive, learner-centric, and conducive to fostering students’ critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. This initiative paves the way for Odisha to become a beacon of educational reform, inspiring other states to follow suit and contribute to the nation’s collective aspiration for a revamped educational system.
