Big news for Kerala’s education lovers! The state has bagged a hefty ₹212.63 crore from the Centrally sponsored STARS (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States) scheme for the year 2025-26. This exciting approval came during a project approval board meeting held in New Delhi on Friday. The meeting saw the presence of important officials like General Education Secretary K. Vasuki and Samagra Shiksha Kerala Project Director Supriya A.R. The funds, specifically for construction activities, will arrive soon as promised by the Union government, according to a statement from Kerala’s General Education department. What's this STARS scheme all about, you ask? It's a golden ticket launched by the Union Education Ministry and powered by World Bank funding. Its main mission is to fire up reforms that boost the quality and governance of school education across India. This means big improvements in pre-primary education, sharper tests to check learning, and top-notch training for teachers. Simply put, it’s a game changer for schools! Kerala welcomed the great news enthusiastically, especially because the Union government also decided to stretch the STARS programme till the year 2027. To keep the momentum, the Union Ministry of Education assured Kerala that another project approval board meeting will happen soon to release some pending dues to the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) project. On their side, the Kerala state government is not sitting idle. They’re already working to clear all technical formalities, including the much-needed utilisation certificate, to grab the second instalment of the SSK funds. This means more fuel in the fire to keep upgrading and improving Kerala’s schools. So, Kerala’s education sector is charging ahead with fresh funds and promises, aiming for a brighter and smarter future!