In a heartfelt initiative to bridge the education gap, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the CM Rise School building in Shahganj, Raisen district, under the Vidisha parliamentary constituency. Speaking at the event in Sehore on January 30, Chouhan reflected on his own humble beginnings, born in Jait near the Narmada river, where he studied in a modest government school. ‘Hard work took me beyond Jait,’ he said, emphasizing that while affluent children access private schools, poor kids are left behind due to high fees.
The idea for CM Rise Schools struck him during his COVID-19 hospitalization. Lying on a hospital bed, Chouhan envisioned state-of-the-art schools offering private-school quality education to underprivileged children free of cost. He consulted experts right from his hospital bed and, after three days of deliberation, decided to establish fully equipped CM Rise Schools across Madhya Pradesh.
Highlighting the school’s world-class facilities, Chouhan listed an array of modern amenities: multi-purpose halls, dedicated labs for physics, maths, and chemistry, a well-stocked library, separate staff and principal rooms, modular kitchen for mid-day meals, rainwater harvesting, horticulture arrangements, solar panels, smart classrooms, running tracks, sports fields, concrete roads, parking, transformers, and state-of-the-art furniture and lab equipment. ‘This school surpasses many private institutions,’ he proudly declared.
Chouhan’s commitment extends beyond education. He vowed that no talented child would be held back by financial constraints. Urging the principal and staff to aim for 100% results post-shift to the new building, he also announced welfare measures: motorized cycles for all differently-abled persons, support for street vendors under the Street Vendor Scheme, and benefits for artisans through the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
These CM Rise Schools are transforming Madhya Pradesh’s educational landscape, ensuring equal opportunities for meritorious poor students. Chouhan’s personal journey from a small village school to national leadership inspires a new generation, proving that with the right facilities, dreams know no bounds.