The Union government has halted funds to Punjab, West Bengal, and Delhi under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) due to their
refusal to participate in the PM-SHRI scheme.
PM-SHRI Scheme
Aim: The scheme aims to transform existing government schools into model schools.
Scope: It targets existing elementary, secondary, and senior secondary schools operated by the central, state, and local
governments across the country.
Funding: This Centrally sponsored scheme has a total project cost of ₹27,360 crore over five years (2022-23 to 2026-27),
aiming to transform nearly 14,500 schools nationwide. The scheme will showcase all components of the National Education
Policy 2020, act as exemplary schools, and offer mentorship to nearby schools.
Assessment: A ‘School Quality Assessment Framework’ is being developed to measure the progress and performance of these
schools.
Key Features of PM-SHRI Scheme
Green Schools: Equipped with solar panels, LED lights, nutrition gardens, waste management, and water conservation and
harvesting systems.
Modern Facilities: Includes ICT (information and communication technologies) facilities, smart classrooms, libraries, digital
libraries, science labs, vocational labs, science and math kits, and annual school grants for libraries or sports.
Language Support: Encourages the use of mother tongues and local languages.
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
Overview:
SSA is an overarching scheme for the school education sector, extending from pre-school to class XII. It aims to ensure inclusive
and equitable quality education at all levels of school education.
Integration:
The scheme integrates three former Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha
Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE). It treats school education as a continuum in line with Sustainable Development
Goal for Education (SDG-4).
Objectives:
- Support States and UTs in implementing the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
- Support States in implementing the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
- Emphasize foundational literacy and numeracy.
- Strengthen and upgrade State Councils for Educational Research and Training (SCERTs), State Institutes of Education, and
District Institutes for Education and Training (DIET) as nodal agencies for teacher training. - Promote vocational education.
Financial Assistance:
The scheme provides financial assistance to all States and UTs for undertaking activities, including training for the
universalization and delivery of quality school education.