Jaipur: PM SHRI schools across Rajasthan showcased grassroots innovations in education, student retention, community engagement, technology and school development at the second state-level webinar held at Rajasthan International Centre Friday. Chief Secretary V Srinivas said the exercise was aimed at identifying successful practices and replicating them across schools while “breaking silos” among teachers and principals. “Teachers and principals should learn from each other’s experiences and best practices,” Srinivas said, directing that 10 PM SHRI principals be engaged in a dialogue every month and successful initiatives replicated across the state. Additional Chief Secretary Rajesh Yadav said the dialogue should be expanded to principals of Mahatma Gandhi schools, model schools and senior secondary schools. He also stressed greater interaction with irregular students to improve retention. Principals also highlighted challenges, including vacant posts, inadequate classrooms and infrastructure, and low parental literacy affecting learning outcomes. Principal Vikram Kothari of PM SHRI GSS School, Suhagpura, Pratapgarh, sought two to four additional classrooms, while a principal from Babra raised staff vacancies. Principal Krishnakant Sharma of Kaya, Udaipur, said parental illiteracy was affecting school outcomes. Srinivas asked schools to submit details of vacant posts, saying filling vacancies was a government priority. Schools also shared innovative practices. In Parliya Ki Dhani, Kota, principal Suresh Kumar Sharma addressed migration among nomadic families by encouraging one family member to stay back with children, improving retention. In Alawada, Alwar, principal Satpal Singh introduced a Maths Circle to teach difficult concepts through engaging activities. Dungarpur’s PM SHRI Mahatma Gandhi Govt School showcased drone workshops and a robotics lab. At Suhagpura, community-connect programmes brought parents, panchayat members and villagers closer to the school. At Jaswantpura, Jalore, students contribute Rs 1 daily under ‘Meri Kaksha, Meri Bachat’, raising around Rs 3 lakh in three years for school development. Principal Dinesh Bishnoi said girls make up half the enrolment despite Jalore’s low female literacy. “This has strengthened parents’ confidence in educating their daughters and encouraged more girls to enrol,” he said. Eleven Rajasthan schools also featured in the national Clean and Green School Rating, including three PM SHRI schools. PM SHRI Darbar Govt Higher Secondary School, Sambhar Lake, secured 14th rank nationally, while PM SHRI Govt Higher Secondary School, Babra, ranked 23rd. PM SHRI Govt Primary School, Parliya Ki Dhani, Kota, ranked 51st.
