Thiruvananthapuram: A letter has surfaced confirming that Kerala had decided to implement the PM SHRI scheme—part of the National Education Policy (NEP)—as early as 2024. The government had previously decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project. A letter issued by the Principal Secretary of the General Education Department, Rani George, states that the Education Secretary sent a communication to the Centre in March 2024.

It is evident from the letter that the state had begun steps to implement the PM SHRI scheme in schools during the previous academic year itself. However, the challenge remained that not all stakeholders have given their consent so far.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) had openly opposed signing the MoU. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam had made it clear that the party would not back down from its stance.

Meanwhile, Education Minister V Sivankutty stressed that it is better not to waste the allocated funds on technicalities when the Centre is reluctant to release the money. He questioned the rationale of wasting ₹1,466 crore. Pointing out that other departments such as Agriculture, Health and Higher Education continue to receive Central funds, the Minister added that Central funding is a rightful entitlement for all.