PM SHRI scheme to be implemented in Kerala; state sets conditions amid Congress, UDF opposition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite opposition within the Congress and the UDF, the Kerala government has begun steps to implement the PM SHRI scheme in schools. The move follows SSK Director Dr K. Mohan Kumar’s visit to Delhi, where he requested the Centre to release funds. Union Education Department Secretary T.K. Anilkumar reportedly made it clear that the funds could not be released without implementing the scheme, prompting the state government to move ahead with the process.

The state had sought Rs 300 crore, the first instalment for the current academic year. The functioning of Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) has been severely affected by the non-release of funds. The pending amount from previous academic years alone is estimated at Rs 1,516 crore. The government aims to implement the scheme before its deadline in March 2027.

The state government is seeking to implement the scheme with two conditions. The first is that the state should have the right to select the schools where the scheme will be implemented. The Centre has already indicated that it has no objection to this condition. A total of 265 schools are to be selected.

However, the Centre is not ready to accept the state's second condition: that Kerala should have the authority to decide the curriculum. The Centre remains firm that the curriculum must be aligned with the National Education Policy. Convincing the Centre on this issue is one of the major challenges facing the V.D. Satheesan-led government. The other is securing support for the move within the Congress and the UDF.

The state government maintains that the scheme should be implemented as the previous LDF government had signed an agreement for it. It has also argued that failing to implement the scheme could lead to financial and legal complications.

Officials to hold initial discussions

Once the report of the four-member Cabinet subcommittee appointed to examine the scheme is received, official-level discussions with the Centre will begin.

The Centre has not yet responded to the letter sent by the state regarding its conditions. If the official-level talks fail to reach a consensus, ministers will intervene directly.

Efforts to build consensus

The government has also begun efforts to build consensus within the Congress and the UDF. Opposition to the scheme remains within the Congress Political Affairs Committee as well as the party's high command. The state government is reportedly trying to convince the high command by pointing out that the scheme has already been implemented in Congress-ruled Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh.

However, AICC Organisation General Secretary K.C. Venugopal is opposed to the move. Differences also remain within the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Muslim Youth League state president Panakkad Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal reiterated the other day that the scheme should not be implemented.