On Wednesday, Dharmendra Pradhan, union education minister, communicated with Naveen Patnaik, chief minister, Odisha. The minister urged the chief minister to direct pertinent officials to accelerate the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the effective implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in the state, according to an official statement.
The letter underscored that the PM SHRI Scheme, launched on September 7, 2022, aims to establish over 14,500 PM SHRI Schools nationwide. All States/Union Territories were previously urged to enter into an MoU with the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, in this regard.
The missive mentioned that most States/UTs have already signed the MoU, and the initial phase of school selection has been completed, with the first instalment released for implementing the PM SHRI Schools initiative. While the second cycle of school selection is underway, the State of Odisha is yet to formalise the MoU, despite multiple letters, including a D.O. letter from the union minister to the chief minister, as per the statement.
The letter emphasised that the PM SHRI Schools focus not only on cognitive development but also aim to nurture well-rounded individuals with essential 21st-century skills. The union minister reiterated the request for the chief minister to direct the relevant officers to promptly sign the MoU for the PM SHRI scheme with the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE), government of India, it added.
With inputs from ANI.