PM SHRI Schools

• 06 Sep 2022

For Prelims: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Teacher’s Day, PM SHRI School

For Mains: Reforms in Education Sector

Why in News?

On the occasion of Teacher’s Day 2022, the Prime Minister of India announced a new initiative - PM SHRI Schools (PM ScHools for Rising India).

• It will be a laboratory for the new National Education Policy (NEP) and under the first phase, 14,500 schools will be upgraded.

Why is Teacher’s Day Celebrated in India?

• Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year, since 1962, on September 5, to recognise and celebrate the works of educators including teachers, researchers and professors in India.
• After Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan took charge as the President of India in 1962, some students sought permission from him to celebrate his birthday. Dr Radhakrishnan, however, did not approve any fancy celebration but rather requested that the day be observed as Teachers' Day.
• About Radhakrishnan:
  • Birth:
    • He was born into a Telugu family in Tiruttani town of Tamil Nadu, on September 5, 1888.
  • Academics:
    • He studied philosophy at the Christian College, Madras.
    • After completing his degree, he became a Professor of Philosophy at Madras Presidency College and then subsequently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore.
  • Employment:
    • He served as the first Vice-President of India from 1952 to 1962 and the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.
    • He was also the Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952.
    • He also served as the fourth Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948.
  • Recognition:
    • In 1984, he was posthumously (after death) awarded the Bharat Ratna.
  • Notable Works:
    • Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy, Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore, The Hindu View of Life, Kalki or the Future of Civilisation, An Idealist View of Life, The Religion We Need, India and China, and Gautama the Buddha.

National Teachers Awards 2022

• On the Occasion of Teacher Day (5^th September), the President of India conferred the National Teachers Awards 2022 to 45 exceptional teachers from across India today.
• The coveted prize was awarded to teachers from various states including Telangana, Maharashtra, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab.
• Every year on Teachers Day, the Ministry of Education organizes a national level function to confer the National Awards to Teachers to the best teachers in the country.
• Every winner of the National Teachers Awards is honored with a certificate of merit, a cash reward of Rs 50,000 and a silver medal.
• The National Awards to Teachers 2022 seek to celebrate the unique and major contributions of the teachers in the nation-building of India.
• The awards are conferred to honor those teachers who through their commitment and industry have not only improved the quality of school education but have also enriched the lives of their students.

What do we know about The Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Yojana?

• About:
  • It is a centrally sponsored scheme for upgradation and development of more than 14500 Schools across the country.
  • It aims at strengthening the selected existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies.
• Significance:
  • It will showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020 and act as exemplar schools and also offer mentorship to other schools in their vicinity.
    • The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development, but also creating holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21^st century skills.
  • Pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable.
  • Focus will be on achieving proficiency in learning outcomes of every child in every grade.
    • Assessment at all levels will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real life situations and will be competency-based.
  • These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure including labs, smart classrooms, libraries, sports equipment, art room etc. which is inclusive and accessible.
    • These schools shall also be developed as green schools with water conservation, waste recycling, energy-efficient infrastructure and integration of organic lifestyle in curriculum.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (2020)

Source: PIB