Dharmendra Pradhan talked about his experience of engaging with the students, noting their diverse experiences and aspirations. He emphasised that interacting with the students has reassured him that India’s future is in safe hands.

By Varun Raj

Union minister for education Dharmendra Pradhan interacted with different groups of students, teachers and parents from PM SHRI Schools, along with the alumni of Prerna programmes on Independence Day. The event, held in New Delhi, was attended by the minister of state for education and minister of state (IC) for the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, as well as senior officials from the department of school education and literacy (DoSEL).

In his address, Dharmendra Pradhan talked about his experience of engaging with the students, noting their diverse experiences and aspirations. He emphasised that interacting with the students has reassured him that India’s future is in safe hands. “Empowering, encouraging, and providing valuable exposure to our Amrit peedhi or youth is our priority,” Pradhan said.

PM SHRI Schools

The PM SHRI Schools (prime minister’s schools for rising India) scheme, a central government initiative, aims to enhance the quality of education in over 14,500 schools across the country. It is managed by a mix of central and state bodies, including Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodya Vidyala Samiti. The initiative is designed to ensure that every student feels welcomed and supported, with access to high quality infrastructure and a comprehensive range of learning experiences.

The PM SHRI Schools initiative is expected to benefit over 20 lakh students directly, which is expected to have a large impact on the quality of education nationwide. The scheme aims to enhance understanding of various dimensions of school education, informing and improving policy, practice and implementation across the educational sector. The learning and insights from these schools will be scaled up and applied to other schools throughout the country. It is planned for implementation over a five-year period from 2022-23 to 2026-27, which represents a long-term commitment of the government to advance educational standards and equity.

Prerana Programme

The Prerana programme is an experiential Learning programme offering a week-long residential experience designed to combine heritage with innovation. Targeted at students in classes IX to XII, this programme provides a unique opportunity for 20 selected participants (10 boys and 10 girls) each week, chosen from various parts of the country. Each day’s schedule includes yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions. This is followed by experiential learning activities, thematic sessions, and engaging hands-on projects.

In the evenings, students participate in a variety of enriching activities such as visits to ancient and heritage sites, inspirational film screenings, mission life creative exercises, talent shows etc. Additionally, participants will also explore indigenous knowledge systems, state-of-the-art technologies, and learnings from inspirational personalities.

It is run from a vernacular school in Vadnagar, Gujarat, a city known for its resilience and historical significance. The school, established in 1888, stands as a testament to enduring values and is closely associated with prime minister Narendra Modi, an alumnus of the school. Prerana combines advanced technology with traditional values, embodying the core principles of value-based education highlighted in the national education policy (NEP 2020). Moreover, this event highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing education through initiatives like PM SHRI Schools and the Prerana Programme.

These programs aim to improve educational quality and provide students with valuable experiences that combine traditional values with modern learning. The government wants students to get a holistic educational experience that respects heritage while embracing innovation.