PM Modi releases funds for 6,200 schools under PM SHRI scheme to take modern education to grassroots level

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first instalment of funds under the PM SHRI Scheme for 6,207 schools amounting to Rs 630 crore to take modern education to the grassroots level as he inaugurated Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi today.

At the function which coincides with the 3rd anniversary of National Education Policy 2020, PM Modi also released education and skill curriculum books translated into 12 Indian languages for school children to facilitate learning in their mother tongue.

PM Modi said that thousands of schools are being upgraded under the PM SHRI Scheme. “In the age of 5G, these modern schools will be a medium of modern education. Equality in education means that no child is deprived of education due to place, class or region”, he explained.

The Prime Minister also interacted with children while taking a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasised the primacy of education among the factors that can change the destiny of the nation.

“Our education system has a huge role in achieving the goals with which 21st century India is moving”, he remarked.

PM Modi informed that the Cabinet has approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation Bill in the Parliament. The National Curriculum Framework under the NEP will come soon. The framework for 3-8 years old students is ready. The entire country will have a uniform syllabus and NCERT is preparing new course books to implement this scheme. The Prime Minister also said that new books of around 130 different subjects are coming up for classes 3 to 12 in 22 different languages as education is being imparted in regional languages.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the biggest injustice to any student is judging them based on their language instead of their capabilities. “Education in the mother tongue is initiating a new form of justice for the students in India. It is also a very significant step towards social justice”, the Prime Minister remarked.

Noting the multitude of languages in the world and their importance, the Prime Minister emphasised that many developed nations of the world have got the edge owing to their local language. Giving the example of Europe, the Prime Minister said that most countries make use of their own native languages. He lamented that even though India has an array of established languages, they were presented as a sign of backwardness, and those who could not speak English were neglected and their talents were not recognised. As a result, the Prime Minister said, the children of the rural areas remained most affected. He emphasized that the country has now begun to shun this belief with the advent of the National Educational Policy.

“Even at the UN, I speak in Indian language”, PM Modi remarked.

Emphasizing the importance of the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam, the Prime Minister said that discussion and dialogue are important for taking forward the country’s education system. The Prime Minister mentioned the coincidence of the last Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam taking place in the newly constructed Rudraksha convention centre of Varanasi and this year’s Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam taking place in the brand new Bharat Mandapam. This is the first event at the Mandapam after its formal inauguration.

“From the Rudraksha of Kashi to the modern Bharat Mandapam, there is a hidden message in the journey of Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam of amalgamation of ancient and modern,” PM Modi observed.

He said that on the one hand, the educational system of India is preserving the ancient traditions of the land while on the other hand, the nation is fast progressing in the field of science and technology.

The Prime Minister congratulated those who have contributed to the education sector for the progress made so far. Noting that today marks the third anniversary of the National Educational Policy, the Prime Minister thanked the intellectuals, academicians and teachers for taking this up as a mission and contributing towards the immense progress in education.

Speaking about the exhibition showcased on the occasion, the Prime Minister highlighted the display of skills and education and innovative techniques. He welcomed the transforming face of education and schooling in the country where small children are learning via playful experiences as the right way ahead.

The Prime Minister said that epoch-making changes take some time. Recalling the vast canvas to be covered at the time of the inauguration of NEP, the Prime Minister praised the dedication and willingness to embrace new concepts of all the stakeholders.

He pointed out that in NEP traditional knowledge and futuristic technologies have been given the same importance. He highlighted the hard work of the stakeholders from the world of education for the new curriculum in primary education, books in regional languages for higher education and for strengthening the research ecosystem in the country.

PM Modi said students now understand that in place of the 10+2 system now the 5+3+3+4 system is in operation. Education will begin at the age of 3 bringing uniformity in the entire country.

The Prime Minister underlined that subjects ranging from social science to engineering will now be taught in Indian languages.

“When the students are confident in a language, their skills and talent will emerge without any restrictions. Those who try to politicize language for their own selfish interests will now have to shut their shops. National Educational Policy will give due respect and credit to every language in the country”, he said.

The Prime Minister explained that the country has to create an energetic new generation in the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal.

“A generation free from the mentality of slavery, eager for innovations and ready to bring laurels in fields from science to sports, willing to skill themselves as per the needs of the 21st century, a generation filled with a sense of duty. NEP will play a big role in this,” PM Modi observed.

The Prime Minister said among the various parameters of quality education, India’s big effort is for equality. “Priority of NEP is that every youth of India should get the same education and the same opportunity for education”, he said, emphasizing that this is not limited to opening schools. He emphasized that equality should be extended to resources along with education. This, he said, means that every child should get options as per choice and capacity.

He mentioned Eklavya Schools in tribal villages, Internet facilities in villages and students receiving education through modes like DIKSHA, SWAYAM and Swayamprabha. “Now, In India, the gap of resources needed for education is being covered rapidly”, he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the steps for integrating vocational education with general education and the ways of making education more interesting and interactive. Pointing out that the facility of labs and practicals were limited to a handful of schools earlier, the Prime Minister threw light on Atal Tinkering Labs where more than 75 lakh students are learning about science and innovation. “Science is simplifying itself for everyone. It is these young scientists that will shape the future of the country by leading significant projects and turn India into a research hub of the world”, he said.

He emphasized that the respect for India’s education system has significantly increased in the world with the increase in India’s industrial reputation and startup growth ecosystem. He noted that the number of Indian institutes is increasing in all the global rankings and informed about two IIT campuses opening up in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi. “Many other countries are also urging us to open IIT campuses in their own countries”, he said.

PM Modi also touched upon many global universities willing to open their campuses in India due to the positive changes coming in the education ecosystem. He informed that two Australian universities are about to open their campuses in Gujarat’s GIFT City.

The Prime Minister talked about the responsibility that growing global curiosity in a strong India places on the country. He reminded the teachers about acquainting the students of the importance of Yoga, Ayurveda, art and literature.

He concluded by reminding the teachers about the importance of the current generation of students in India’s journey to a ‘Viksit Bharat’ in 2047.