Kerala Government Signs MoU with Centre To Join PM SHRI Schools Scheme

Last Updated:October 24, 2025, 05:23 IST

Kerala signed a memorandum with the Centre for the PM SHRI scheme despite CPI opposition, sparking protests and an urgent CPI meeting

Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty

Despite opposition from CPI, the Kerala government on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Centre to join the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.

According to ANI, the scheme aims to develop infrastructure in two schools from each block with Central assistance. Each selected school will receive an annual average assistance of Rs 1 crore for five years.

State education minister Sivankutty said: “This was the only way to secure the Centre’s share of Rs 1,500 crore, which is pending for various educational programmes in Kerala."

Following this decision, CPI has called for an urgent meeting on Friday to state its decision on the scheme.

The AISF, student wing of CPI state executive, has alleged that the state government’s action in signing PM Shri scheme is a complete betrayal, anti-student and a challenge to the general society.

They further said that the education minister should not think that he can move forward by subverting the declared policy of the Left Front and that strong protests will rise on the streets of Kerala against the government’s anti student stand.

According to ANI, although the CPI(M) and the Department of General Education had agreed to join the PM SHRI project much earlier, the Kerala government was forced to backtrack on the decision twice following strong objections from the CPI.

Previously, the state government had opposed joining the scheme, arguing that it could pave the way for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in Kerala.

News india Kerala Government Signs MoU with Centre To Join PM SHRI Schools Scheme

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