Jagan: AP will ensure higher education brings jobs

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Friday that the state government is effecting changes in higher education with a view also to equip students get employment after completion of their studies.

Some 96 per cent of the parents are seeking admission for their children in English medium schools, and hence bilingual textbooks in English and Telugu languages were introduced to help students have command over two languages from an early stage, the Chief Minister said.

Revolutionary reforms were initiated in the education sector under which government schools have been revamped to be on par with the corporate schools and are providing quality education, the CM said while concluding a short discussion on ‘Education’ in the state Assembly. He listed out various initiatives of the government in the education sector in the last two and a half years.

Jagan said the state government has come up with ‘Right to English Medium Education’ to ensure a bright future to the students from all segments of the society and added that 96 per cent of the parents committees voted in favour of English-medium education.

“The schools were categorised into six types as part of academic and administrative reforms and for further planning subject-wise for teachers from Class 3 and limiting one teacher to 20 students in Class 1 and 2, implementing CBSE syllabus among other activities to enhance the efficiency of teaching in schools.”

The chief minister said the government has spent Rs 13,023 crore so far, benefiting 44.50 lakh mothers and also benefiting 85 lakh children under the Amma Vodi scheme.

The government would implement the mandatory attendance of 75 per cent to get the benefits of Amma Vodi this year.  It has also come up with a proposal to offer laptops under this scheme for students of classes 9 and 10 to enable them grasp lessons digitally. “The state government has been spending Rs 1,600 crore annually for effective implementation of the Jagananna Gorumudda Scheme and monitored the scheme in real-time through a mobile application called Integrated MDM Monitoring System (IMMS). Officials are personally checking the quality of food on a regular basis, he said.

The CM said the government has been providing full fee reimbursement to all needy students pursuing higher education under the 'Jagananna Vidya Deevena' scheme and spent Rs 5,573 crore so far on this count. Under 'Jagananna Vasathi Deevena’, hostel and mess charges are being provided to students and a sum of Rs 2,270 crore has been spent on this scheme so far.

The chief minister said job-oriented and skill development courses were introduced to provide best employment opportunities to the students through higher education.