On November 19, 2023, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched 37 PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalayas and 26 PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Odisha. The launch event was held at the Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bhubaneswar.
In brief: Dharmendra Pradhan launched 63 new PM SHRI schools in Odisha, 26 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 37 Kendriya Vidyalayas, in Bhubaneswar on 19 November 2023.
PM SHRI Schools in Odisha: The Launch in Detail
The 63 schools are all centrally run institutions upgraded under the PM SHRI programme, and the minister used the event to press the case for more, according to the Press Information Bureau.
Pradhan said about 800 government schools in Odisha could be developed as PM SHRI schools, with more than Rs 1,600 crore available, and asked chief minister Naveen Patnaik to sign the memorandum of understanding that would bring the state scheme on board, covering two schools in every block and urban area. “To achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, our education sector needs to move forward,” he told the gathering. On the same visit he inaugurated new buildings at the Oriental Language Centre of the Indian Language Institute in Bhubaneswar, which trains teachers in Odia, Santali, Bengali and Maithili.
Speaking at the event, Shri Pradhan said that the launch of these new schools is a major step towards the government’s goal of providing quality education to all children, without regard of their background. He said that these schools will be developed in full spirit of the National Education Policy 2020 and will provide comprehensive and inclusive education to students.
He also said that the government is committed to providing quality education to children in rural areas. Children from rural areas will be able to realize their complete abilities and receive a high-quality education from the PM SHRI schools.
The launch of these new schools is a welcome development for the people of Odisha. It will provide a much-needed lift to the education sector in the state and will help to improve the quality of education available to children.
PM SHRI Schools in Odisha: A Multitude of Advantages for Odisha’s Education Sector
The establishment of 37 PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalayas (PM SHRI KVs) and 26 PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (PM SHRI JNVs) in Odisha will bring about a multitude of advantages for the state’s education sector and its residents. These schools will serve as sources of knowledge and opportunity, transforming the future of countless children from diverse backgrounds. Let’s see the key advantages of these new institutions:
Quality Education for Rural Children: PM SHRI KVs and PM SHRI JNVs will provide much-needed access to quality education for children from rural areas, who face challenges in obtaining a quality and complete education. These schools, strategically located in rural settings, will bring quality educational opportunities to the doorsteps of these underserved communities.
Promoting Complete Development: In keeping with the National Education Policy 2020, these schools will encourage a complete development among students, focusing on not just academic excellence but also critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and social-emotional well-being. This complete approach will prepare students to succeed in the constantly changing demands of the 21st century.
Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide: By providing quality education in rural areas, these schools will play a central role in bridging the educational divide between urban and rural India. Children from rural communities will no longer be at a disadvantage in terms of access to quality education, allowing them to compete on a level playing field with their urban counterparts.
Promoting Social Equity and Inclusion: These schools will serve as catalysts for social equity and inclusion, providing equal opportunities for children from all socioeconomic backgrounds to pursue their educational aspirations. By breaking down barriers and ensuring that every child has access to quality education, these institutions will foster a more just and equitable society.
Strengthening Odisha’s Education Sector: The establishment of these schools will inject much-needed energy into Odisha’s education sector, raising the overall standard of education across the state. The presence of these well-equipped and well-resourced institutions will serve as a benchmark for other schools, encouraging them to adopt best practices and raise the quality of education statewide.
Enhancing Employability and Economic Growth: By equipping students with quality education and complete development, these schools will contribute to enhancing their employability and preparing them for the demands of the modern workforce. This, in turn, will foster economic growth and prosperity in the state as well as the nation.
Creating a Vibrant Knowledge Hub: The presence of these schools will transform rural areas into vibrant knowledge hubs, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and intellectual exploration. This transformation will have far-reaching implications, not only for the education sector but also for the overall socio-economic development of these regions.
Inspiring Future Generations: The success stories of students from these schools will serve as beacons of inspiration for future generations, igniting a passion for learning and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. This positive impact will resonate far beyond the walls of these institutions, shaping the future of Odisha and India as a whole.
The establishment of PM SHRI KVs and PM SHRI JNVs in Odisha create a massive turning point in the state’s educational journey. These schools, in keeping with the National Education Policy 2020, will democratize access to quality education, equip rural children, and foster a vibrant culture of learning and innovation. Their impact will be felt not only by the students who walk through their doors but also by the communities they serve and the nation as a whole.
The launch of PM SHRI KVs and PM SHRI JNVs in Odisha has received positive feedback from educators, parents, and community members. Educators are excited about the opportunity to provide quality education to rural children and contribute to their all-round development. They believe these schools will raise the state’s education standard and inspire other schools to adopt best practices.
Parents are excited about their children attending these schools, as they believe they will provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge for success. Community members are optimistic about the positive impact these schools will have on their villages and districts, believing they will foster a culture of learning, innovation, and intellectual exploration, leading to overall socio-economic development.
The establishment of PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalayas and PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in Odisha marks a new era of educational opportunity for the state’s children. With a focus on quality, inclusivity, and innovation, these schools have the potential to transform the lives of countless students, shaping a brighter future for Odisha.
What Has Happened Since
The MoU the minister asked for took time, but the direction changed within months. On 27 March 2024 the education ministry announced that Odisha had agreed to sign the memorandum of understanding to implement the PM SHRI scheme in its own state schools before the 2024-25 academic year, according to PTI, which noted that the decision left West Bengal, Kerala and Delhi as the only hold-outs. The scheme aims to upgrade 14,500 schools across the country as showcases for the National Education Policy 2020, with about 1.8 million pupils expected to benefit, and 6,448 schools were selected in the first round across 28 states and union territories, the agency reported.
PM SHRI Schools in Odisha and the Wider Rollout
The November 2023 launch therefore reads as the opening move in a longer negotiation between the centre and the state. The 63 centrally run schools came first because they needed no state signature; the roughly 800 state schools Pradhan spoke about depended on the MoU that followed in 2024.
The launch is still best remembered for its first wave of PM SHRI schools in Odisha, the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas that Dharmendra Pradhan opened, with the state’s own schools joining the scheme later.
