PM Shri scheme: Kerala yet to decide, forms sub-committee to study the matter
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala cabinet has formed a four-member sub-committee to study the matter of proceeding with the implementation of the Centre-sponsored PM Shri (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme in school education. The panel is to study the scheme in detail after which the government will take suitable action after receiving the panel's report.
In the meantime, the government will inform the Centre the status and about the formation of the committee. Any follow-up steps will be taken only after the report of the sub-committee is received. The sub-committee comprises Ministers N Samsudheen, Roji M John, PC Vishnunadh and M Liju.
The state General Education Minister N Samsudheen is said to have informed chief minister VD Satheesan in a status report that a decision on PM Shri cannot be taken in a rush. The LDF government had temporarily frozen the agreement last November, but that unilateral decision is not legally valid, as the signed contract is still binding. The minister's note suggests that various factors should be considered including whether the state can implement its own syllabus within the framework of the contract for NEP implementation. It was following this that the decision to appoint a sub-committee was taken.
The government has in fact bought time and have temporary reprieve in the tricky matter through the formation of the sub-committee. Given the fact that if the government proceeds with a scheme which the front had opposed vehemently while in opposition, the government would be on the defensive. Hence the decision to form the sub-committee as a temporary relief.
Probably understanding this dilemma of the UDF, former education minister V Sivankutty demanded the other day that the UDF government should make clear its policy decision regarding implementation of the PM Shri scheme. He said that the government should clarify its position when the larger public would like to know its stance. He also alleged that earlier chief minister VD Satheesan, while facing questions on the issue was skirting the issue without stating a firm stand; nor did education minister N Samsudheen spell out a policy in the matter.