THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The activities of Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), which implements various centrally initiated schemes, are in crisis as the state has not agreed to the PM SHRI scheme. There is uncertainty over the stipend for differently-abled children, the functioning of hostels housing poor children, free uniforms, maintenance of schools, etc.

There are seven hostels under SSK in Kerala that house very poor children. There is worry that their operations will stop as funds are not available. SSK has 60 percent central share and 40 percent state share. Central funds were withheld as Kerala did not sign the MoU. The General Education Department was ready to sign the MoU but the cabinet meeting decided not to as LDF constituent party CPI opposed it.

Not a single rupee has been received out of the central allocation of 513.54 crore for the year 2024-25. The total allocation is 855.9 crores. The total fund to be received in 2023-24 was 702 crores. Only 141 crores was received, out of 421 crores to be received as central share.

Government concern behind the problem

Schools under the PM SHRI scheme are considered as model schools that implement all the ideals of national education. 'PM SHRI' should be prefixed to the name of such schools. The scheme requires two schools in one block. State Syllabus or NCERT Syllabus can be implemented. The concern of the state government is whether this will adversely affect secularism and religious harmony in Kerala. The state contends that PM SHRI and SSK are separate central schemes and should not be linked. Therefore, the state is thinking about the steps to get funds for SSK.

"Due to non-availability of central funds, activities for the upliftment of differently-abled children, hostels for poor children and the distribution of free uniforms and free textbooks to children as per the Right to Education Act are in crisis.

- Dr. A.R. Supriya,​

Director, S.S.K