Sat Oct 25 10:27:48 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

The state of Kerala in India has reversed its previous stance and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central government to implement the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme. This scheme aims to create exemplar schools showcasing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Kerala had initially resisted due to concerns that the NEP promotes a right-wing agenda, commercialization, and centralization of education at the expense of secular values. However, the Central government withheld significant funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme due to Kerala’s refusal to join PM SHRI, impacting marginalized students and educational programs in the state. Facing a financial crunch, Kerala ultimately signed the MoU to secure the release of these funds, while maintaining it will continue to implement NEP provisions that benefit the state but will not implement any that contradict its interests. The decision has drawn criticism from within Kerala’s ruling coalition.

News Article:

Kerala Does U-Turn, Signs PM SHRI Education Scheme Agreement Amid Funding Crunch

Thiruvananthapuram, October 25, 2025 – In a significant shift, the Kerala government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Education to implement the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme. The move comes after a prolonged standoff, with Kerala initially refusing to participate in the centrally sponsored program due to concerns surrounding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which PM SHRI aims to showcase.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), had previously voiced strong reservations about the NEP, arguing it promotes a right-wing agenda championed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), leading to communalization, commercialization, and centralization of the education sector. The government fears the NEP will erode secularism, scientific thought, and Constitutional values in education.

However, the Central government’s decision to withhold substantial funds owed to Kerala under the Samagra Shiksha scheme—totaling ₹1,158.13 crore—placed immense pressure on the state. According to Kerala Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty, the funding cut has directly affected nearly 40 lakh students from marginalized sections, including those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, as well as differently abled students, impacting access to essential resources like uniforms, textbooks, and teacher training.

The signing of the MoU will unlock these withheld funds, along with additional PM SHRI funds, totaling ₹1,476.13 crore for the state. Minister Sivankutty described the decision as a tactical maneuver to overcome the financial squeeze imposed by the Central government.

“The Kerala Government is not ready to give up on funds for Samagra Shiksha and other projects, especially when the State is facing a financial crunch,” said Minister Sivankutty.

Despite joining the PM SHRI scheme, the Kerala government maintains it will continue to resist any attempts to implement aspects of the NEP that contradict the state’s interests and educational principles. The state government has assured that it will continue to follow its vision in the education sector. Not even 30% of the Central policy had been implemented, the minister argued.

The move has not been without controversy. The Communist Party of India (CPI), a partner in the LDF coalition, reportedly expressed displeasure at being kept in the dark about the decision, highlighting the ongoing internal debate surrounding the NEP.

While Kerala’s decision marks a shift in its approach, the state government remains committed to upholding its own educational framework and resisting what it perceives as attempts to impose a particular ideological agenda on the education system.

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