Kerala’s withdrawal from PM SHRI scheme will hurt public education, says Union Minister George Kurian

Union Minister George Kurian on Thursday (October 30, 2025) criticised the Kerala government’s decision to review its participation in the PM SHRI scheme warning that the move would deal a severe blow to the State’s public education sector.

He alleged that the withdrawal was intended to weaken government schools and cautioned that it could push students to seek education in other States.

“Since the Narendra Modi government came to power, the Centre has provided ₹1,071 crore for the development of government schools during 2020-23. This support has transformed many schools into smart schools,” he told the media in Kasaragod, adding that the scheme’s withdrawal would stall further growth in the sector.

Mr. Kurian, however, welcomed the move to implement the project in the higher education sector and expressed hope that the agreement would not be entirely withdrawn.

The remark came a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the formation of a seven-member Cabinet subcommittee to review the implementation of the scheme in the State. Headed by General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, the committee includes Ministers K. Rajan, P. Prasad, Roshy Augustine, P. Rajeeve, A.K. Saseendran and K. Krishnankutty.

The Chief Minister said further steps on the scheme would be suspended until the committee submits its report and that the Centre would be informed of the decision.