SSK systems have reached a dead end around PM SHRI

N. Samsudheen Photo Credit: KK Mustafah

Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) projects remain on hold due to the ongoing impasse over PM SHRI signing an agreement with the Union government, with Education Minister N. Shamsudheen reiterating that there has been no change in the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s stance towards PM SHRI.

On Tuesday, Mr. Shamsudheen said here that the government continues to disagree with the conditions attached to the PM SHRI scheme. He said the matter cannot be decided unilaterally and will be discussed within the UDF.

Denying reports that the UDF government would sign the deal, he said pulling out of the agreement between the two governments would not be easy and would involve technical difficulties. Uncertainties over SHRI’s PM continue amid conflicting claims about education funding and the status of the deal. Former Education Minister V. Sivankutty said the state had not received any funds under the PM SHRI scheme.

However, Mr. Shamsudheen said that the state received Rs. 92 million. Official sources clarified that the amount was released under Right to Education (RTE) and not under PM SHRI.

The previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had signed the PM SHRI deal after the Center linked the release of funds for educational programmes, including SSK, to the scheme. The agreement was later suspended following political opposition, particularly from the CPI, a component of the LDF.

The matter drew opposition from several parties, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and its affiliates. IUML currently holds the portfolio of general education in the UDF government. The implementation of the SSK has been affected by ongoing discussions about the future of the agreement. According to sources, the monthly salary remains pending.

Affected Services

Support services within the SSK, including services for children with disabilities, assistive devices and companion allowances, have been affected. Several study centers in tribal areas are also said to have been affected. The SSK program, which has around 6,500 employees, most of whom are on contract, faces uncertainty over the flow of funds, raising concerns about their job security.

Tamil Nadu took a different approach by directly challenging the center and further education programs independently. Tamil Nadu has taken up the schemes with central assistance. However, Kerala’s fiscal constraints limit similar options for the state and its educational programs.

Published – 10 Jun 2026 20:48 IST