04-07-2023 : The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department is set to receive a significant boost in infrastructure development, as 230 schools in the region have been selected to receive additional grants of Rs 50 lakh each. This decision was made during the maiden Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting on May 10, 2023. The initiative is part of the Prime Minister Shri Scheme of Schools (PM SHRI schools scheme), which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 5, 2022, with the aim of developing more than 14,500 schools across India.
The PAB meeting, convened by the Economic Advisor School Education and Literacy (SEL) and attended by key officials, including the Principal Secretary of the J&K School Education Department (SED), Alok Kumar, and the project director of J&K Samagra Shiksha, discussed plans to strengthen and upgrade the infrastructure of selected schools.
The additional grants of Rs 50 lakhs each are intended to support the schools’ infrastructure development and facilitate various innovative initiatives. The funds will be provided in addition to other approved grants under the Capex budget or J&K Samagra Shiksha, enhancing the schools’ financial resources for necessary improvements.
According to an official familiar with the PAB meeting, a portion of 15 to 30 percent of the grant will be allocated for non-recurring expenses, such as the construction and renovation of toilet blocks. The primary focus of the funds will be to support innovative projects, including the installation of water harvesting systems, lightning systems, and other creative ideas aimed at enhancing the learning environment and overall school experience.
Additionally, the funds can be utilized to procure uniforms, identity cards (I-cards), and school bags for the students, ensuring their well-being and encouraging attendance and participation.
The selected schools will undergo a thorough review of their progress after five years. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to strengthen and develop these schools to be on par with private schools and serve as model schools for the entire region. By implementing the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, the schools will strive to become exemplary institutions that foster the development of well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills.
The PM SHRI schools scheme is designed to run from 2022-23 to 2026-27. Over this period, the scheme is expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students, with a total project cost of Rs 27,360 crore, including a central share of Rs 18,128 crore. Once this period concludes, the responsibility of maintaining the achieved benchmarks will be passed on to the respective states and Union Territories.
The transformation of the shortlisted schools into model schools, focusing on both the curriculum and co-curricular activities, is aimed at providing quality education that enhances students’ cognitive development.