The Centre will soon write to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to join the PM SHRI school reform initiative
NEW DELHI
The Central Government is preparing a fresh push to bring West Bengal and Tamil Nadu into the fold of the PM SHRI school scheme.
Following recent election results that reshaped the political landscape in both regions, education officials plan to write to state leaders to break the long-standing deadlock over classroom funding.
The PM SHRI initiative aims to upgrade over 14,500 state-run schools into modern “model institutions.” However, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu had previously refused to sign the required agreements, leading to a tense standoff. This disagreement even resulted in the Union government pausing certain education grants last year. Now, the Ministry of Education believes the shift in local governments offers a golden opportunity to restart these vital programs.
In West Bengal, officials are optimistic that the recent change in leadership will simplify the rollout of the National Education Policy. Meanwhile, the situation in Tamil Nadu remains a point of interest following the electoral victory of C. Joseph Vijay’s party. Beyond just school upgrades, the Centre is also urging West Bengal to adopt the ULLAS program, which focuses on adult literacy and lifelong learning.
Even in Kerala, where the agreement was previously put on hold, the Centre is seeking a revival of the partnership. By turning these schools into centers of excellence, the government hopes to provide students with better technology and modern teaching methods. For parents and students in these states, the move could finally mean better facilities and more resources in their local classrooms.