ITANAGAR, July 24: Arunachal Pradesh has unveiled the ARUN Schools for Rising India (SHRI) Mission, an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the state's educational landscape.
Launched in alignment with the Prime Minister’s School for Rising India (PM SHRI) Mission, this programme is set to modernize and elevate the quality of education across the state.
Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, who made the announcement in his budget speech on Wednesday said through the initiative, the state government proposes to invest a total of Rs 2,139 crore under the mission.
“This substantial investment is expected to enhance school infrastructure, foster public-private partnerships, and drive innovative teaching methods, aiming to position Arunachal as a leading educational hub in the northeast,” Mein said.
Mein said Arunachal also reported significant advancements in educational metrics, as reflected in the 2024 SDG scorecard.
The state has achieved a 100% Adjusted Net Enrolment Rate in elementary education, marking a nearly 20% improvement since 2020-2021. Additionally, the average annual dropout rate at the secondary level has decreased to 11.7%, a nearly 25% reduction from previous years.
Noteworthy progress includes an increase in the proportion of trained teachers at the secondary level to 91.2%, up from 79.04%, and an improved pupil-teacher ratio of 11, down from 14 in 2020-21.
These enhancements indicate better class sizes and more effective student-teacher interactions.
“The government has implemented several initiatives to bolster educational infrastructure, such as the ‘Building as Learning Aid’ program in 118 government upper primary schools and the establishment of 12 Eklavya Model Residential Schools. These efforts ensure modern facilities are accessible to all students,” Mein said in his speech.
Future investments will focus on vocational and technical training centers to enhance youth employability. STEM education will be promoted with updated resources, modern laboratories, and skilled educators. New programmes like the 100 Days Reading Campaign and School Readiness Program will aim to improve literacy and academic readiness.
Further initiatives include School Safety Skills programs, summer camps under PM SHRI, and state-level science exhibitions to provide a holistic educational experience. Curriculum reforms will introduce competency-based syllabi and learning recovery programs to ensure all students achieve age-appropriate learning outcomes.
The Bagless Saturday initiative for grades I to V will offer extracurricular activities such as critical thinking workshops and cultural competitions. Financial support for education remains a priority, with Rs 228.7 Crore already disbursed in stipends and an additional Rs 188.5 Crore allocated for scholarships and grants.
Upcoming plans involve organizing Education Conclaves at both state and district levels before August 15 to develop district-specific educational strategies. A comprehensive training program for teachers and the implementation of an Integrated Inventory Assessment and Management System for government schools are also on the agenda.
Significant investments include Rs 150 crore for the construction of 30 new government higher secondary and senior secondary schools and Rs 600 crore for educational interventions through Samagra Shiksha. Additionally, Rs 500 crore has been sanctioned for upgrading 50 senior secondary and secondary schools into Golden Jubilee Schools.
The state is also embracing modern technology, with Virtual Reality devices to enhance students’ learning experiences. Over 900 contractual teachers have been regularized, and there are plans to fill teaching and non-teaching vacancies in government schools.
“Infrastructure development will continue with the construction of hostels, teachers’ quarters, and new academic blocks across various colleges and schools. Arunachal Pradesh aims to establish an Education City of National Standards, promoting top educational institutions to set up campuses in the state,” the deputy chief minister said.