TAG: GS-2: SOCIAL JUSTICE
THE CONTEXT: After Punjab, the AAP government in Delhi has also relented under financial pressure and agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre to implement the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme in the Capital.
EXPLANATION:
About PM- SHRI Scheme:
- The PM SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme initiated by the Government of India.
- Aim: This centrally sponsored initiative seeks to develop 14,500 schools to “showcase” the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 and be “exemplars” for other schools in their region.
- The goal is to offer a diverse range of learning experiences and ensure access to good physical infrastructure and appropriate resources for all students.
- These schools will not only focus on enhancing cognitive development but also creating holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills.
- The pedagogy adopted in these 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.
- Samagra Shiksha is an integrated scheme for school education extending from pre-school to class XII to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education.
- It subsumes the three Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
- The main emphasis of the Scheme is on improving the quality of school education by focussing on the two (T2) Teacher and Technology.
Features of PM-SHRI Schools:
The Scheme is Implemented through existing administrative structures for Samagra Shiksha, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas and comprises following features.
- Equitable Education:
- Focus on diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs, and varied academic abilities.
- Act as active participants in their learning process as per the vision of NEP 2020.
- Green School Initiatives:
- Incorporate environment-friendly aspects like solar panels, LED lights, nutrition gardens, waste management, and water conservation.
- Create awareness for adopting a sustainable lifestyle.
- Innovative Pedagogy:
- Experiential, holistic, and learner-centred teaching methods.
- Encourage play/toy-based and inquiry-driven learning, fostering 21st-century skills.
- Assessment and Quality Assurance:
- Competency-based assessment at all levels.
- Regular quality evaluations using the School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF).
- School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF): A set of standards and best practices as paradigms for attaining individual and institutional excellence.
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal have yet to sign the MoU. While Tamil Nadu and Kerala have indicated their willingness, Delhi, Punjab, and West Bengal had earlier refused, prompting the Centre to stop their SSA funds.
Additional Information
Samagra Shiksha Scheme:
- The Samagra Shiksha Scheme supports implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
- It was proposed by the Union Budget of 2018-19, subsumed the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Teacher Education (TE) schemes.
- The scheme is funded in a 60:40 ratio by the Centre and states, barring the 11 Northeastern and Himalayan states, which have to bear only 10% of the cost.
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