Education stalemate
THE conflict between the Punjab Government and the Centre over the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme has reached a critical juncture. Punjab initially signed an MoU in 2022 to implement this project aimed at transforming schools into ‘exemplar’ institutions aligned with the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP). However, the state later withdrew, prioritising its ‘Schools of Eminence’ initiative, which seeks to revamp 117 government schools and introduce new specialised institutions. This decision has had significant financial repercussions. The Centre withheld Rs 515 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), funds vital for the state’s educational infrastructure. As a result, Punjab has now agreed to implement the PM SHRI scheme, hoping to unlock these crucial funds.
Punjab’s predicament underscores a broader issue: the tension between state and Central government priorities in education. While the PM SHRI scheme promises extensive upgrades with a budget of Rs 27,000 crore over five years, it requires states to bear 40 per cent of the costs and align with the NEP. Punjab’s reluctance highlights concerns about federal overreach and the imposition of a one-size-fits-all model that may not account for regional nuances and existing state programmes. The impact on Punjab’s schools has been stark. For example, as a recent report in The Tribune indicates, many government schools in Gurdaspur district are in a state of decay, with 28 out of 90 having no teacher. The withholding of SSA funds exacerbates these issues, affecting thousands of students.
Punjab’s eventual compliance with the PM SHRI scheme, driven by financial necessity rather than genuine alignment with Central objectives, raises questions about the effectiveness of such top-down approaches. For meaningful educational reform, there needs to be a collaborative method that respects state initiatives while ensuring support from the Centre. The educational landscape should not become a battleground for political power play.
