Lokesh Revives Visakha Vimal Vidyalayam, Restores Past Glory

Vijayawada: The prestigious Vimal Vidyalayam here, which had shut its doors in June 2024 after Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) abruptly withdrew its financial support, has been revived under the initiative of education Minister Nara Lokesh.

The school, located in Steel Plant Township’s Sector-6, had been a beacon of free and quality education for four decades.

Following appeals by Gajuwaka MLA and Telugu Desam AP president Palla Srinivas Rao, Lokesh asked officials to reopen the institution this academic year.

Treating this matter as a matter of heritage, Lokesh personally supervised coordination among departments. The government has now assumed full responsibility for its management, adopting the Visakha Valley School model with the district collector as chairman.

On June 12, collector Abhishekh Kishore and MLA Srinivas Rao formally reopened the school.

The response was overwhelming: 55 children joined UKG and 723 enrolled from Classes 1 to 10. The rush of admissions on day-one underscored the school’s enduring reputation.

The education minister called for the immediate launch of the Dokka Seethamma Midday Meal scheme, ensuring nutritious lunches for all students.

Notably, Lokesh had facilitated approval for a Rs.12,000 crore package from the Centre to safeguard Visakha Steel from privatization.

Founded in 1984 through an agreement between RINL and the RC Diocese, the school was established to provide free education to steel plant employees’ children. Over time, admissions expanded to contract workers’ children, rehabilitation colonies and underprivileged families across 36 colonies.

By June 2024, when RINL withdrew support, the school had 2,200 students and 100 staff. Its closure cast uncertainty over their future.