In a major policy shift, the Kerala government has announced its decision to join the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM Shri) scheme, following months of protests and campaigns led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The move marks a significant victory for ABVP, which has been at the forefront of demanding Kerala’s inclusion in the central government’s flagship education initiative. Welcoming the decision, ABVP described it as a “big victory for the valiant struggles of students” and a crucial step toward strengthening the quality of education in Kerala. The organisation said it had been consistently advocating for the implementation of the PM Shri scheme since its inception, arguing that the scheme’s benefits would enhance infrastructure and teaching standards across the state’s schools.
On April 18, an ABVP delegation submitted a memorandum to Kerala’s General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, urging the state to sign the agreement for the scheme. Despite this, the government had initially resisted the move, with ABVP accusing the ruling Left Democratic Front of politicising education and obstructing central schemes beneficial to students.The student body also alleged that its activists faced violent repression for their campaigns. According to ABVP, its office-bearers, including Kerala State Secretary E.U. Eswaraprasad, were targeted and attacked in attempts to stifle dissent. The organisation claimed that despite such “coercive measures,” it continued to mobilise protests across districts, demanding that the government shed its reluctance and adopt the scheme.
The PM Shri scheme, launched by the Union Government, aims to develop more than 14,500 schools across India by upgrading existing institutions managed by central, state, and local authorities, including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. These model schools are expected to become benchmarks of quality education with improved infrastructure, pedagogy, and learning outcomes. According to ABVP, around 336 schools in Kerala stand to gain directly from the scheme. The organisation maintains that this initiative will play a transformative role in modernising the state’s public education system and providing equal opportunities for students.
Commenting on the development, ABVP Kerala State Secretary E.U. Eswaraprasad said, “ABVP welcomes the Kerala government’s decision to join the PM Shri scheme, which is inevitable for the betterment of Kerala’s educational sector. ABVP is the only student organisation that raised its voice for this cause despite drastic opposition from the ruling dispensation and other student outfits. Around 336 schools in Kerala will benefit directly from the scheme and will be elevated to the standards of Kendriya Vidyalayas.”
He added that the Left government’s decision represents a moral and political victory for students who placed their trust in ABVP. “Despite the violence and suppression we faced, our persistent struggle has compelled the government to act in favour of students. This is a victory for the student community, and ABVP will continue to champion student-centric issues in the future,” he asserted.
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