Lucknow: In a significant stride towards transforming the educational landscape of Uttar Pradesh, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly inaugurated the PM SHRI Schools in Lucknow today. This monumental event marked the launch of the PM SHRI initiative, a transformative endeavor aimed at uplifting the standard of education across the state.
The launch ceremony, attended by esteemed dignitaries including Member of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Primary Education, Sandeep Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Secondary Education, Gulab Devi, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Sanjay Kumar, and Additional Secretary, Vipin Kumar, witnessed the virtual participation of enthusiastic individuals from 928 locations.
During the event, Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for prioritizing the enhancement of school infrastructure as a cornerstone for providing world-class education. He emphasized that the upgradation and modernization of over 1000 schools under the PM-SHRI initiative in Uttar Pradesh signify a significant stride towards achieving this vision.
Commending the efforts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in implementing the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 over the last three years, Pradhan highlighted that the first phase of the PM SHRI scheme covers 928 government schools in Uttar Pradesh, including 81 Kendriya/Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. He underscored the transformative potential of NEP 2020 as a philosophical document with the capacity to lead the world in shaping the future of education.
Pradhan noted that out of the 26 crore students in the country, nearly 20% hail from Uttar Pradesh, making them integral to realizing the goal of a developed India by 2047. He lauded the achievements of students from the state’s Navodaya Vidyala, who have excelled in competitive entrance examinations like IIT, Government Medical Colleges, and NIT without external coaching. The Minister also commended the state’s collaboration with the Centre for Creative Learning at IIT Gandhinagar, Gujarat, to enhance science education in Kasturba Gandhi Valika Vidyalayas in Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath disclosed that 1753 schools across the state have been earmarked for transformation into PM SHRI Schools. The initiative entails a comprehensive overhaul of school infrastructure, introducing Baalvatika, smart classrooms, science laboratories, digital libraries, and sports facilities to create integrated campuses conducive to holistic education. This holistic approach aims to nurture well-rounded individuals, fostering the development of students in various spheres beyond academic excellence. The launch of PM SHRI Schools signals a new era for education in Uttar Pradesh, aligning with the state’s commitment to providing quality education and empowering its youth for a brighter future.