Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty had stated that even though Kerala opposes the National Education Policy (NEP), becoming a signatory to PM SHRI would help it secure much-needed funds for implementing Centrally-sponsored education schemes. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
After much back and forth, the State government has decided to go ahead and ink the agreement for implementing PM SHRI (PM’s Schools for Rising India) in State schools.
Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty had stated many a time that though the State remained opposed to the National Education Policy (NEP), becoming a signatory to PM SHRI would help it secure much-needed funds for implementing Centrally-sponsored education schemes. At least ₹1,500 crore is due from the Union government, including Samagra Shiksha funds. However, strong opposition, particularly from coalition partner Communist Party of India, had forced the Cabinet to at least twice decide against implementing the scheme.
“There is no need to lose out on Central funds meant for our students on technical grounds. The funds will allow us to implement schemes for students, particularly those from marginalised communities. There is also the matter of payment for Samagra Shiksha staff.”
The Minister pointed out that the Higher Education department, the Health department, and the Agriculture department too had signed on various Central schemes. “Why should we alone not accept the funds? There is need to understand the ground reality.”
Asked whether signing the agreement meant the State would accept the NEP, the Minister underlined that the Left Democratic Front government had a vision on education. “There will be no going back on it.”
It is learnt that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month was the turning point on the issue.
Mr. Sivankutty too had met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan twice in recent months. “We had been trying to get the funds for long,” the Minister agreed.
Education officials clarified that major components of the NEP such as teacher training or pre-primary education had already been implemented by the State. The State would need to be alert to any direction from the Union government that does not align with its interests.
It was also pointed out that no State had fully implemented the NEP owing to structural differences. Any decision on those aspects would likely be taken after government-level talks, they said.
However, there are concerns that the State would not receive the total amount due to it. Only a part of it would be sanctioned as the first tranche this year. Also, it is uncertain whether the State would be able to release a matching grant considering its financial situation. Further release of funds by the Union government would also depend on this. Any benefit, beyond payment of salary and benefits, assistive devices for differently abled students, funds for uniform, that for textbook printing, is suspect unless the State government too chips in.
Published – October 19, 2025 02:17 pm IST
