Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to implement the PM SHRI scheme in Odisha by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) under the Union Ministry of Education.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, the Union Minister requested the latter to direct the officers concerned to sign the MoU with the DoSEL.
This is for the third time the Union Minister requested the Chief Minister to implement the central scheme in Odisha. Pradhan had written to the Chief Minister in this regard on March 13 and October 9, 2023.
The Union Minister also stated that most of the states and Union territories have signed MoUs with the DoSEL, but the State of Odisha is yet to do it.
“The first phase of the selection of schools has been completed. The first installment has also been released to implement the PM SHRI scheme,” the letter read.
In his letter, the Union Minister reminded that many letters have been written to the Chief Minister, but he is still waiting to hear from the Odisha government about the implementation of the scheme.
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He pointed out that the PM SHRI scheme which was launched on September 7, 2022, aims at establishing 14,500 schools across the country with the provision of all components of the National Education Policy 2020. These schools will be models of ideal institutions ensuring high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive, and joyful environment.
These schools will not only focus on cognitive development but also create holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills, he added, claiming that students will feel welcomed and cared for as they will be offered a wide range of learning experiences in an environment equipped with good infrastructure and appropriate resources conducive to all students.