Andhra Pradesh: Students Relocated To Pave Way For COE for STs At Marikavalasa
The relocation process had been carried out in phases without interrupting the academic continuity of the students: Reports
VISAKHAPATNAM: Existing students of AP Tribal Welfare Residential School (Boys) at Marikavalasa in Visakhapatnam district have been relocated to other institutions to facilitate opening of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Scheduled Tribe Students at the location.
Ahead of starting the CoE, authorities transferred a total of 232 students of Marikavalasa school to other schools – 77 students to APSWREIS institutions in Srikrishnapuram, Sabbavaram, and Devarapalli; and 128 students to APTWR institutions based on their preferences.
The relocation process had been carried out in phases without interrupting the academic continuity of the students, so that the state government could launch its flagship CoE initiative in Marikavalasa, an official stated.
The Centre of Excellence at Marikavalasa aims to provide intensive residential coaching for ST students preparing for the NEET and IIT-JEE examinations. The CoE is a residential institution with an approved capacity of 600 intermediate students, 300 boys and 300 girls. The initiative strives to ensure equal opportunities and representation for both genders.
Students admitted to the Centre of Excellence have been chosen through a merit-based selection process. AP government has contracted Physics Wallah, based in Noida, to ensure high-quality coaching. Eighteen faculty members have been appointed and classes have already commenced.
The government has allocated special funds for infrastructure, ICT facilities, furniture, and human resources. Additional construction is underway to accommodate the relevant departments.
Officials have described the CoE as a transformative platform that will help talented scheduled tribe students secure admission in prestigious institutions, such as the IITs, NITs, AIIMS, and government medical colleges. The initiative reflects the government's commitment to promoting academic excellence, increasing representation of ST students in national institutions, and contributing to their socio-economic advancement.
The move had, however, drawn opposition from the Adivasi Girijana Sangham and the Marikavalasa School Parents Committee. They had objected to closure of the existing Marikavalasa Tribal Gurukulam Boys’ School.
According to P. Appala Narasa, a national executive member of the Adivasi Girijana Sangham, the decision to establish the Centre of Excellence at the location has upset parents of the displaced students and community representatives as well owing to dissonance between government priorities and local sentiments.
