Free Electricity to 44,000 Government Schools Across AP: Lokesh
“This initiative aims to prepare students for future challenges and provide Andhra Pradesh students with international opportunities.”
Vijayawada: Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh has said the AP government is taking significant steps toward establishing a model education system in the state.
He said, “In the budget presented today for this fiscal, several key decisions including free power to government schools are aimed at revitalizing the public education sector.”
“In a revolutionary move, the government would provide free electricity to over 44,000 government schools. This would reduce the financial burden on local bodies and create a more conducive teaching environment for educators. This is expected to relieve pressure on teachers and students, leading to improved academic outcomes,” Lokesh said.
The minister said the government plans to equip students with international-standard education through a multidisciplinary approach, research, credit-based systems in polytechnics, advanced classrooms, laboratories, and digital libraries. For these purposes, Rs 2,506 crore has been allocated to higher education and an additional Rs 1,228 crore for the skill development and training sectors.”
He stated that as part of the "Super - 6" initiative, the government has also committed to implementing the "Talliki Vandanam" scheme from the 2025-26 academic year. “Under this programme, each student from grades 1 to 12 will receive Rs 15,000.
Additionally, the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidya Mitra scheme will provide free uniforms, shoes, books and nutritious meals through Dokka Sitamma midday meal programme to 35.69 million students in government schools, he said.
In a comparison with the previous government, the minister said Jagan Mohan Reddy allocated Rs 29,909 crore for school education, while this year's budget has increased that allocation to Rs 31,805 crore.
Lokesh said, “The government is focusing on a results-oriented education system and is taking steps to incorporate advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence into the curriculum. Moreover, to emphasize innovation and research in higher education, the government has decided to establish the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub in Amaravati.”
“This initiative aims to prepare students for future challenges and provide Andhra Pradesh students with international opportunities,” he stated.