Archive · 31 Oct 2025
Union Minister Kurian Dismisses Kerala's Freeze on PM SHRI Scheme as 'Paper Value'
A national minister named George Kurian said that when the state of Kerala decided to stop a new school program called PM SHRI, it doesn't really matter.
He said the national government, specifically the education ministry, will make the final choice.
He also mentioned that this program, along with a bigger education plan called NEP, is meant to help students get better skills and learn about jobs, starting from a young age.
He thinks the state is wrong to block this because it's taking away chances for poor students.
Another student group also wrote to the Prime Minister, asking him to ignore Kerala's decision and make sure students get the benefits of the program.
Union Minister George Kurian stated Kerala's decision to freeze the PM SHRI scheme has only 'paper value'.
He asserted that the Union Education Ministry holds the final authority on the scheme's implementation.
The Kerala government froze the MoU for the PM SHRI scheme following disagreements from LDF ally CPI.
Kurian highlighted that the NEP-based curriculum focuses on skill enhancement from Class 6 onwards.
ABVP Kerala urged the Prime Minister to dismiss the state government's request to freeze the scheme, calling it political and against student interests.
- Who
- Union Minister George Kurian and ABVP Kerala
- What
- Union Minister George Kurian stated that Kerala's decision to freeze the PM SHRI scheme has only 'paper value,' asserting the Union Education Ministry will make the final decision, while ABVP Kerala requested the Prime Minister to dismiss the state's freeze request.
- When
- Friday
- Where
- Kochi
- Why
- The Kerala government froze the MoU due to disagreement from LDF ally CPI. Kurian believes the state is depriving students of opportunities and that education is on the Concurrent List, meaning the center has a say. ABVP claims the state's decision is political and against students' interests.
Kerala Government's Position (Implied/LDF ally CPI)
Union Minister George Kurian's Position
Freeze of PM SHRI Scheme MoU
Kerala Government's Position (Implied/LDF ally CPI)
The state government has frozen the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the centre for the PM SHRI scheme due to disagreement from LDF ally CPI.
Union Minister George Kurian's Position
The decision to freeze the scheme has only 'paper value,' and the Union Education Ministry will make the final decision, as education falls under the Concurrent List.
Implications of Freezing the Scheme
Kerala Government's Position (Implied/LDF ally CPI)
Not explicitly stated, but implied concern over central government's control or specific aspects of the scheme.
Union Minister George Kurian's Position
The state government is potentially depriving students, especially from poor families, of opportunities and benefits offered by the PM SHRI scheme, which focuses on skill enhancement and is aligned with NEP.
Nature of Scheme Implementation
Kerala Government's Position (Implied/LDF ally CPI)
Agreement to proceed initially, then freezing suggests reservations about the implementation or alignment with state interests.
Union Minister George Kurian's Position
Both NEP and PM SHRI are central initiatives, and their implementation depends on the state; students have a right to education, which the state cannot block. The NCERT provides a framework, but SCERT decides the syllabus.
- Scheme Name
- PM SHRI scheme
- Union Minister
- George Kurian
- State Government
- Kerala
- Action Taken by State
- Froze MoU with Centre for PM SHRI scheme
- Organization's Action
- ABVP Kerala sent letter to PM Modi requesting dismissal of state's request
- Education Policy Context
- National Education Policy (NEP)
