CS Rastogi reviews progress of PM SHRI schools, stresses quality infrastructure and filling vacant posts
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening government school education by successfully completing the selection of all 250 schools under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, with institutions being developed as green campuses equipped with modern learning infrastructure and digital classrooms. The achievement positions the state among the leading performers in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, reflecting Haryana’s commitment to transforming government schools into future-ready centres of excellence.
Chairing a detailed review meeting on the financial and academic progress of the scheme here today, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation and appreciated the state’s transparent and accountable approach to fund utilisation. He emphasised that PM SHRI schools should evolve into benchmark institutions not only within Haryana but also at the national level.
He said the Government of India provides ₹2 crore fund to each PM SHRI school in the state for infrastructure improvement, covering 21 key components aimed at transforming government schools into modern centres of learning.
He directed that district-level committees be constituted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners to assess infrastructure and academic requirements of these schools and ensure timely implementation. "These committees will identify priority works so that funds can be utilised effectively for strengthening educational infrastructure," the Chief Secretary said.
He said that the committee members should visit the schools under their jurisdiction and identify issues and areas that require improvement. He also directed that vacant staff positions in these schools be filled at the earliest to ensure better manpower management and smooth functioning.
Top Schools to Be Honoured on Independence Day
The Chief Secretary said the three best-performing PM SHRI Schools and three Model Sanskriti Schools in the state will be honoured on Independence Day. The recognition will cover achievements in academic excellence, infrastructure development and innovative teaching practices. He also directed the Education Department to chalk out the procedure for selection of these schools.
250 Schools Selected Across Haryana
Of the 250 PM SHRI schools, 124 were selected in the first phase, 111 in the second, six in the third and nine in the fifth phase. Out of 143 blocks in the state, 137 are already covered under the scheme — ensuring balanced access to quality education. The remaining 24 blocks have one PM SHRI school each. The scheme carries an approved budget of ₹191.69 crore for 2025–26, of which sanctions worth ₹95.87 crore have already been received and expenditure of ₹29.78 crore incurred so far.
Green Campuses, Smart Classrooms
Under the initiative, selected schools are being upgraded into environment-friendly green campuses in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The upgrades include solar panels, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, nutrition gardens and plastic-free initiatives, alongside smart classrooms and digital learning tools. Rastogi said the PM SHRI initiative would play a crucial role in transforming government schools into model institutions and strengthening the overall quality of education across the state.