New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday called upon Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to implement the PM SHRI scheme to develop the state's government schools as exemplary educational institutions, saying, "political agendas should not overshadow our children's education and future".
In a letter to CM Stalin, Pradhan urged the state government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the scheme's benefits reach students across Tamil Nadu.
The PM SHRI Schools initiative is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at establishing over 14,500 schools across India. These schools are intended to serve as model institutions under the joint supervision of the Central Government, State/UT Governments, local bodies, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).
Despite repeated requests, Tamil Nadu has not yet signed the MoU for the PM SHRI scheme, Pradhan noted in his letter. He emphasised that while the state initially committed to signing the MoU in the 2024-25 period, the subsequent draft sent by the Tamil Nadu government omitted key commitments required for the comprehensive implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
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In a post, Pradhan reiterated the Union government's commitment to ensuring 21st-century education under NEP 2020. "PM @narendramodi's government is dedicated to shaping the future through 21st century education under NEP 2020," he wrote. He emphasised that the policy prioritises inclusive education, a dynamic learning environment, and the promotion of multilingualism and mother tongue education."
"Political agendas should not overshadow our children's education and future. I urge CM @mkstalin to prioritise our children's right to world-class education over political differences. Anything less would be a great betrayal to our children," he added.
Pradhan also highlighted that the Government of India is committed to promoting the Tamil language--one of the world's oldest classical languages--at every forum. He mentioned events such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam, organised by the Ministry of Education to promote cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. Additionally, a dedicated Tamil language channel was launched on July 29, 2024, to facilitate learning in Tamil.
The Minister noted that "tens of lakhs of students" from Tamil Nadu have already benefitted from the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative aligned with NEP 2020.
He urged Tamil Nadu to also embrace the PM SHRI Scheme to further enhance the quality of education in the state, in alignment with its ongoing implementation of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme.
Pradhan concluded his letter by requesting the Government of Tamil Nadu to sign the MoU for the PM SHRI Scheme as per its initial undertaking, emphasizing that "collaborative efforts" between the Union and state governments are crucial for creating a resilient and inclusive education system that fosters a brighter future for all.
—ANI