Kerala to proceed with PM-SHRI scheme under strict conditions, says CM Satheesan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF government has decided to move forward with the Union Government’s PM-SHRI school upgradation scheme. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced that since the previous LDF administration had already signed the pact, the state is legally bound to continue with the project. However, the state government will put forward two non-negotiable conditions to the Centre to safeguard its educational autonomy.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting following the release of ₹99 crore previously withheld by the Centre, alongside the sanctioning of an additional ₹106 crore for the state.

State's conditions

Speaking to the press after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Satheesan emphasised that the state would not compromise on its educational policies. The two conditions stipulated by the government are:

• Curriculum Autonomy: The Central Government must not interfere with the state’s independence in framing the school curriculum.
• School Selection: The authority to identify and select schools for the PM-SHRI scheme will rest entirely with the state government.

"We will implement the project only by ensuring complete freedom over our curriculum, without bowing to any communal agendas," Satheesan stated, adding that the government would decide its next course of action if the Centre rejects these terms.

A Cabinet sub-committee has been formed to draft a formal report detailing the state’s ideological objections and conditions. The committee will be convened by Education Minister N. Shamsudheen, with Ministers Roji M. John, P.C. Vishnunadh, and M. Liju as members.

Allegations of secrecy against the previous LDF government

Taking a sharp dig at the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration, the Chief Minister alleged political hypocrisy. He pointed out that while the LDF publicly maintained a stance that they would never sign the PM-SHRI agreement, they went ahead and signed it secretly with clearances from the Finance Department.

"The pact was signed keeping even the Cabinet members in the dark," Satheesan alleged. "While CPI ministers were actively arguing against the agreement during Cabinet meetings, the then-Chief Minister and Education Minister were well aware that the document had already been executed."

Satheesan also clarified that he has initiated talks with Chief Ministers of other non-BJP-ruled states to forge a collective strategy that ensures states' educational rights are not trampled upon by central schemes.

Financial dues and document disclosure

The Chief Minister reiterated that Kerala is still owed ₹1,100 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which remains withheld by the Center.

"This money is not a bounty or charity; it is our rightful due. The Center appropriates half of the state's GST and the entirety of our income tax revenues," the Chief Minister said.

Dismissing claims that the previous government had formally moved to withdraw from the PM-SHRI project, Satheesan stated they had only sent a letter requesting a temporary deferment. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) subsequently released a copy of the said letter to the media to substantiate the claim.

Former minister rebuts claims

The opposition has strongly refuted the Chief Minister's allegations, setting up a sharp political confrontation over the issue.

"The LDF government has not accepted a single paisa from the PM-SHRI project. The funds received under the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) scheme have absolutely no correlation with PM-SHRI. The Chief Minister is making statements without understanding the ground facts." — V. Sivankutty, Former Education Minister