Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has informed the Centre that it has decided to put on hold the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed for implementing the Prime Minister’s School for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme in the state.

In a letter to the Union Ministry of Education, K Vasuki, Secretary of the General Education Department, conveyed the government’s decision to keep the agreement in abeyance.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam welcomed the move, describing it as a “victory against the infiltration of RSS in the country's education system.” He said, “This is the only decision the CPI and CPM could have taken. It’s a triumph for student and teacher organisations who have been resisting the RSS agenda in the education sector. The decision reflects the united stand of the CPI and CPM.”

Kerala had signed the MoU with the Centre on October 16 without prior Cabinet approval or consultation with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) partners, including the CPI. The CPI had strongly opposed the decision both before and after the signing.

The MoU was signed by K Vasuki on behalf of the state government and Additional Secretary Dheeraj Sahu for the Centre. State Education Department Additional Secretary Dr S Chithra and Samagra Shiksha Kerala Director Dr A R Supriya, along with two Central officials, signed as witnesses.

The CPI had earlier criticised the CPM for supporting a scheme they allege promotes the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Minister for General Education V Sivankutty had defended the state’s participation, arguing that it would help Kerala access central funds for educational development. However, the CPI mouthpiece Janayugam had earlier termed the decision to join PM SHRI “suicidal.”