PM-SHRI Yojana

Context

On the occasion of Teacher’s Day, Prime Minister Modi announced a new scheme, the PM-SHRI Yojana, to develop 14,500 schools as model schools. The schools will have modern infrastructure such as labs, smart classrooms, libraries, and sports facilities.

Relevance

GS Paper – 2: Government Policies & Interventions, Education, Skill Development

Mains Question

he National Education Policy 2020 is in line with the Fourth Sustainable Development Goal (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient India’s education system. Examine the statement critically. (250 Words)

PM SHRI Yojana

• PM SHRI Yojana stands for PM ScHools for Rising India.
• It will be a government-sponsored programme.
  • Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) are programmes that are implemented by the state government but are sponsored by the federal government with a defined shareholding.
• Highlights o Upgrading and developing more than 14,500 schools across the country by strengthening selected existing schools managed by the Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies.
  • The schools will showcase all aspects of the National Education Policy 2020, serve as model schools, and mentor other schools in the area.
  • Pedagogy will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based (especially in the foundational years), inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centered, discussion-based, flexible, and enjoyable in these schools.
  • The emphasis will be on achieving proficiency in learning outcomes for all children in all grades.
  • Assessment at all levels will be competency-based and based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real-life situations.
  • These schools will also be developed as green schools, with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure, and organic lifestyle integration in the curriculum.
• The goal of these schools will be to create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st century skills, as well as to provide quality teaching, learning, and cognitive development.

NEP, 2020

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020, outlines the vision for India’s new education system.
• Shri K Kasturirangan led the committee that drafted the NEP 2020.
• NEP 2020 focuses on five pillars to ensure continuous learning: affordability, accessibility, quality, equity, and accountability. • The new policy replaces the previous National Policy on Education, 1986, and forms a comprehensive framework to transform both elementary and higher education in India by 2040.
  • This is India’s third such education policy since independence.
  • The first two were released in 1968 and 1986, respectively.

Important Features of the Policy

• Schooling to begin at the age of three: o The revised policy expands the age group of mandatory schooling from six to fourteen years to three to eighteen years.
  • The new system will consist of 12 years of schooling followed by three years of Anganwadi/pre-schooling.
  • The current 10+2 school curriculum structure will be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years.
• Mother tongue to be established as medium of instruction: o While adhering to the “three language formula,” the NEP also states that no language will be imposed on anyone.
  • According to the ‘three language formula,’ students must learn two Indian languages, with English not counting as one of them.
•  It also states that states, regions, or students should be allowed to choose between the two Indian languages.
  • The policy states that the mother tongue/local language/regional language should be the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably until Grade 8 and beyond, and that both public and private schools must adhere to this standard.
• Higher Education Commission of India (HECI): o The HECI will now establish a single overarching umbrella body for all higher education, with the exception of medical and legal education.
  • The same set of regulations, accreditation, and academic standards for public and private higher education institutions.
  • The government intends to phase out college affiliation in 15 years and to establish a stage-by-stage mechanism for granting colleges graded autonomy.
• Subject stream separation will be blurred: o According to NEP 2020, rigid subject stream separation will be eliminated.
  • Students will be able to choose which subjects they want to study across streams.
  • Vocational education will be introduced in schools beginning in Grade 6 and will include internships.
• Reintroduction of the FYUP Program and Elimination of Dropouts:
  • The undergraduate degree will last three or four years.
  • During this time, students will also be given several exit options.
  • Colleges must award a certificate to a student who wishes to leave after one year of study in a discipline or field, including vocational and professional areas, a diploma after two years of study, or a Bachelor’s degree after three years of study.
• The government will establish an Academic Bank of Credit to digitally store academic credits earned from various Higher Educational Institutions so that they can be transferred and counted toward the final degree earned.