The Kerala government’s decision to join the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme, reversing its long-held opposition to Narendra Modi government’s education agenda, sparked sharp political reactions, with the Congress accusing the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of a “secret alliance” with the BJP.
The CPI, a key coalition partner in LDF, has publicly questioned the move, making CPIM cornered for it’s unilateral decision.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph said the CPI(M)’s “long-standing covert relationship” with the BJP had now become “open.”
“It was part of this secret understanding that the general education minister announced the state’s decision to join PM SHRI without even discussing it in the Cabinet,” Joseph told media.
PM SHRI School is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Government of India. This initiative is intended to develop more than 14500 PM SHRI Schools managed by Union Government/State/UT Government/local bodies. At least 260 schools in Kerala are set to be part of the scheme.
The PM SHRI schools are exemplar schools that showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy, that has been opposed by leftist groups and critics for it’s Hindutva ideological agenda.
The Congress leader’s remarks came a day after General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said the state would sign up for the centrally sponsored PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, ending months of resistance from the Left government, which had previously argued the initiative undermined federal principles in education.
Earlier, Sivankutty had said that Kerala won’t compromise on the quality and outlook of school education by signing the scheme. He also said that Centre had not released funds amounting to Rs 1500 crore, which rightfully belonged to state’s schools. CPM’s argument is that Kerala should not turn its back on central funds.
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam told Times of India that nothing had changed in the central scheme and hence there is no reason to accept it now.
“PM SHRI scheme aims to promote the implementation of National Education Policy, which Left parties continue to oppose even today. Under the scheme, Centre will have a say in the syllabus and curriculum of participating schools. We cannot oppose NEP on one hand and accept PM SHRI on the other. There is no change in CPI’s stand in this matter,” said Viswam.
LDF convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan defended the move, saying the government’s broader policy was to ensure Kerala receives “the maximum possible funds” from the Union government.
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