PM SHRI Schools Explained: What Are These Special Government Schools Planned for Launch in West Bengal?

The Central Government launched the PM SHRI—or 'PM Schools for Rising India'—scheme in September 2022. The objective of this scheme is to develop government schools across the country into modern, model institutions.

PM SHRI Schools: With the recent change of power in West Bengal, preparations are now underway to bring about significant changes in the state's education system. The new government has announced its intention to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) in the state and to establish at least one PM SHRI school in every administrative block. Consequently, the PM SHRI Schools scheme has once again become a topic of public discourse. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has categorically stated that the state's education system will be liberated from political interference and transformed into a modern, technology-driven framework. In this context, the question naturally arises: what exactly are PM SHRI schools, and what is their underlying objective? So, let us explain to you what PM SHRI schools are—the very institutions the government is currently considering establishing in West Bengal.

What are PM SHRI Schools?

The Central Government launched the PM SHRI—or 'PM Schools for Rising India'—scheme in September 2022. The primary objective of this scheme is to transform government schools across the nation into modern, exemplary institutions. Under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, these schools place a strong emphasis on innovative pedagogical methods, smart classrooms, digital learning capabilities, skill-based education, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Implementation of the PM SHRI Scheme in West Bengal

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between the Ministry of Education and the Government of West Bengal regarding the implementation of this scheme. This decision is considered particularly significant given that the previous government—led by Mamata Banerjee—had initially opposed the scheme. At that time, the state government had raised objections regarding the Central Government's branding of the initiative and its perceived interference in educational matters. Now, however, the newly formed BJP government has taken the decision to implement the scheme. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for meritorious students held in Kolkata, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that at least one PM SHRI school would be established in every administrative block of the state, with the aim of extending the reach of modern education to rural areas.

What will be the key features of PM SHRI Schools?

PM SHRI schools will be designed and developed to cater to the educational requirements of the future. These schools will feature smart classrooms, digital boards, modern laboratories and libraries, and skill development facilities. Furthermore, there will be a strong focus on eco-friendly infrastructure and student-centric learning. Education in these schools will not be limited merely to textbooks; instead, students will be engaged through practical learning, innovation, and technology-based education. The government asserts that these schools will also serve as models for other government schools in their vicinity. It is worth noting that, under a scheme by the Central Government, 14,500 government schools across the country are slated to be developed as 'PM-SHRI Schools.' Currently, more than 13,000 schools nationwide have already been selected for this initiative. These schools are being developed in alignment with the National Education Policy.