Lokesh calls full bunk bed facilities in Kasturba Gandhi girls’ hostels
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the top-performing state in the utilisation of funds under the PM SHRI scheme, a flagship initiative of the central government aimed at modernising government schools, stated education minister Nara Lokesh on Thursday.
Reviewing the performance of the education department with officials at his Undavalli residence, Lokesh congratulated the officers for securing the top national ranking in PM SHRI fund utilisation. He directed officials to take steps for the construction of 844 smart kitchens this year, following the Kadapa model.
Officials informed the minister that the distribution of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra Kits would be completed before the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting. Distribution of kits to 2,03,430 students studying in government junior colleges was also progressing, they said.
To improve residential facilities for girl students, Lokesh called for installation of 53,180 bunk beds in 430 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), benefiting 1,06,360 students. He wanted the officials to extend the facility to the string of AP Residential Schools and Colleges.
Officials, he said, must ensure that orphaned children are also covered under the “Talliki Vandanam” scheme. They must collect guardian details wherever available and, in cases where children have no guardians, route the financial assistance through district collectors.
He also suggested developing a permanent mechanism to deposit funds directly into the bank accounts of orphaned children so they can access the money independently after completing their education.
Seeking greater transparency in private education, Lokesh asked officials to remove unnecessary conditions in granting permissions to private unaided schools and ensure that approved fee structures are prominently displayed both on school premises and in the public domain.
The minister also directed the Telugu Academy to make its textbooks readily accessible through leading e-commerce platforms, enabling people to purchase them online with ease.
Expressing concern over learning outcomes, Lokesh said officials must focus on improving student competencies and attendance in government schools. He called for special attention to educationally lagging regions such as Kurnool, Anantapur, Markapuram, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Polavaram areas, and sought district-specific action plans based on teacher availability and student performance.
The education minister said officials must ensure that school attendance does not fall below 95 per cent and stressed that the mid-day meal programme should be implemented with complete transparency and without compromising quality.
Officials informed the minister that a significant number of students failing public examinations were struggling in Mathematics, Science and Telugu. Emphasising the importance of the mother tongue, Lokesh urged teachers not to neglect Telugu and directed the preparation of bridge-course material in weak subjects. He also called for the identification of academically backward students and the conduct of special remedial classes.
He directed officials to expedite the establishment of computer laboratories equipped with Chromebooks for high school students.
Principal secretary Syamala Rao, higher education commissioner NB Gupta, Intermediate education commissioner Ranjit Basha, school education director Tameem Ansaria and others were present.
