PM SHRI SCHEME

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 2

A new centrally sponsored scheme aims to transform 14,500 government schools across the country into a showcase of the new National Education Policy.

What are the key features of NEP in school education?

• The National Education Plan (NEP) envisions a curriculum structure and teaching method organised into foundational, preparatory, intermediate, and secondary levels. 
• Play-based learning will be used in the foundational years (preschool and grades I and II). 
• At the preparatory level (III-V), light textbooks are to be introduced along with some formal classroom teaching. 
• Further, at the medium level, subject teachers will also be introduced (VI-VIII). Arts and sciences as well as other fields will not be clearly separated throughout the secondary stage (IX–XII).
• The schools will use a cutting-edge, transformative, and all-encompassing approach to educating students. 
• A learning-centered, discovery-oriented approach to teaching will be prioritized. 
• Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry for enhancing employability and providing better employment opportunities will be explored.
• A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular intervals will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards.
• Modern infrastructure will also be emphasized, including cutting-edge technology, intelligent classrooms, sports, and more.
• Schools that will be upgraded under the scheme will receive upgrades that include labs, modern classrooms, libraries, sporting goods, and art studios. 
• They will be built as green schools, with energy-efficient infrastructure, recycling of garbage, water conservation, and curricular integration of an organic lifestyle.

Where will these schools come up?

• The PM SHRI schools will “provide mentorship” to other schools nearby.
• Since this school is sponsored by the Centre, it will bear 60 per cent of the cost of implementation. 
• The remaining 40 per cent will be borne by the state or UT. 
• In Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, the contribution of the Centre can go up to 90 per cent.

How it is implementing?

• PM SHRI Schools would be implemented through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).
• These schools shall be monitored vigorously to assess progress and understand the challenges faced in implementation of National Education Policy 2020.

As per the union government Pedagogy adopted in PM shri schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/ toy-based (particularly, in the foundational years) inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible, and enjoyable.