Nara Lokesh Drives Comprehensive Educational Reforms in Andhra Pradesh
Nara Lokesh, the Minister for Education and IT in Andhra Pradesh, is spearheading efforts to establish government schools in the state as a national benchmark under the "Andhra Model Education" initiative. With comprehensive reforms in school education, his six-month-long planning has already started yielding promising results.
Immediately after the formation of the state government, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu signed a file to recruit 16,347 vacant teacher posts under the Mega DSC initiative. This recruitment process is targeted for completion before the next academic year begins. To ensure fairness and transparency, a Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) was conducted, enabling 1,87,256 candidates to qualify. The government also canceled GO 117, introduced by the previous administration, which was criticized for disadvantaging rural students, and prepared a new draft policy for teacher recruitment.
In an interim measure, 9,197 vacant teaching positions were adjusted and filled to avoid disruptions in education. A new academic calendar was designed without political symbols or leaders' photos to maintain neutrality. School Management Committee (SMC) elections were successfully conducted, and on December 7, 2024, the state hosted Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings in over 44,000 schools. These meetings, held in a celebratory atmosphere, aimed to strengthen school-community relationships.
Spiritual leader Chaganti Koteswara Rao's inputs are being integrated into the curriculum to instill moral values among students. Changes in textbooks and teaching plans are also being aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and the Nippon Bharat initiative. Organizations such as UNICEF, Pratham, J-PAL, and others are collaborating to improve teaching methodologies.
Efforts to mainstream out-of-school children (84,640 students) include setting up Non-Residential Special Training Centers (NRSTCs) and seasonal hostels. A unified database integrating inputs from the ICDS, Health & Family Welfare, and School Education departments has been initiated, with APAAR IDs issued to 80% of the enrolled students. Andhra Pradesh has partnered with IIT Madras to enhance students' digital skills.
Special recognition was given to the state for its work in inclusive education, particularly under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan State Project Director, B. Srinivasa Rao, recently received a national award for Andhra Pradesh's efforts in inclusive education.
Academic and Infrastructure Star Ratings
A star rating system based on student attendance, performance, infrastructure quality, and other parameters was introduced for over 44,000 schools. Plans to enhance these ratings have been developed. Advanced tools are being used to evaluate teachers' skills, and principals are undergoing leadership training to improve school management.
The mid-day meal program has been enhanced with region-specific menus, and KGBV schools will see an increase in diet charges from January. Career and psychological counselors have been appointed to support students' growth and mental well-being.
Intermediate Education Improvements
For junior colleges, the academic schedule has been extended from 9 AM to 5 PM. Over 2 lakh students have received free textbooks, notebooks, and bags. Centralized question papers will be used for internal exams, and mentorship programs have been implemented to support weaker students. Starting January 2025, a mid-day meal scheme will also be introduced for 475 junior colleges.
Future Roadmap
Over the next six months, initiatives include launching a comprehensive "One School-One App" dashboard to monitor school performance, organizing a state-level science expo, and conducting national-level sports meets. Holistic report cards and health profiles will continue to be issued. New uniforms and bags will be distributed to all students from grades 1-12 by the next academic year.
To align with evolving educational demands, curriculum overhauls are planned for the 2025-26 academic year. Partnerships with IIT Madras will enhance teaching through the Vidya Shakti program, and online leadership courses will be introduced for school principals. A focus on integrating digital and physical education infrastructure will further refine teaching methodologies.
Nara Lokesh’s targeted reforms aim to elevate Andhra Pradesh’s education system, positioning it as a national leader while bridging gaps between private and public educational standards.