Minister Nara Lokesh Announces Good News for Private Schools in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Education, Nara Lokesh, has announced a key decision favoring private schools in the state. He stated that the recognition period for private schools will be extended to ten years. The minister made this announcement during a meeting with representatives of various private school associations and management bodies at his residence in Undavalli.
During the discussion, Nara Lokesh assured the private school managements that their concerns would be addressed. He urged them to work collectively to strengthen the education system, stating, "Let’s compete and improve the education system together."
He highlighted that the coalition government has completed seven months in office and emphasized his commitment to reforming the education sector. "As the Minister of Education, I have a sacred responsibility. We are strengthening the public education system. Due to the inefficiency of the previous YSRCP government, millions of students moved to private schools. Since the coalition government came to power, we have initiated several reforms, including curriculum changes and steps to promote moral values," Nara Lokesh stated.
The minister alleged that the education system had deteriorated under YSRCP rule. "When standards in government schools decline, numerous problems arise. We are implementing educational reforms only after consulting stakeholders. I deliberately chose the education portfolio to take on the challenge of improving the system, which was left in disarray by the previous government. We are working with sincerity and dedication," he asserted.
Nara Lokesh also stressed the shared responsibility of both private and government institutions in improving the education sector. "During the Yuva Galam Padayatra, I came across numerous concerns raised by teachers. As promised during the Padayatra, we are extending private school recognition to ten years. We will continue to hold discussions with private school managements to understand their perspectives," he said.
Private School Associations Present Their Demands
Representatives of private school associations brought several issues to Nara Lokesh’s attention. They requested that the recognition period for private schools be extended to ten years. Additionally, they sought the implementation of a Campus Protection Act and the simplification of approvals for fire safety certificates, structural NOCs, and sanitation certificates. They also urged the government to officially recognize private school associations.
Other demands included granting recognition to pre-primary schools and allowing unqualified teachers to complete the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) program. The representatives highlighted the financial burden faced by private school bus operators during the COVID-19 pandemic and requested an extension of their operational lifespan by two years. They also proposed converting the approximately 150 Telugu-medium private schools in the state into English-medium institutions.
Further requests included loan facilities for budget schools, inclusion of private school students in the Pratibha Awards, categorization of private schools based on defined parameters, and training programs for private school teachers. Additionally, they sought permission for private school teachers to participate in sports events alongside government teachers.
The associations also called for the reintroduction of the grading system in Class 10 exams, a ten-year recognition period for open schools, and resolution of issues faced by private school managements in flood-prone areas. They requested the allocation of housing plots for private school teachers and reductions in tax burdens on school buses.
In response, Nara Lokesh assured the representatives that their concerns would be thoroughly reviewed and necessary actions would be taken.
The meeting was attended by MLCs Paruchuri Ashok Babu, Kancherla Srikanth, Bhoomireddy Rangopal Reddy, Vepada Chiranjeevi, along with representatives from various private school associations and school managements.
