Lokesh pushes for Andhra model education system

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh has directed education officials to focus aggressively on improving school infrastructure, reducing dropout rates and achieving 100 percent student enrolment as part of the government’s broader plan to transform the state’s public education system into a national model.

Chairing an extensive review meeting with District Education Officers (DEOs), Additional Project Coordinators (APCs) and senior officials at the Amaravati Secretariat, Lokesh said the government aims to build an “Andhra Model Education System” capable of competing with the best public-school systems globally.

The minister stressed that every government school child should be treated like our own children and said policy decisions must centre around students’ futures. He noted that nearly one lakh students across the state were identified as dropouts and directed officials to intensify efforts on both re-enrolment and tracking never-enrolled children.

During the district-wise review, Lokesh expressed concern over the 12 percent dropout rate in Visakhapatnam government schools and instructed officials to strengthen enrolment drives in urban areas. Officials attributed the high dropout numbers to migrant populations in the district.

In Krishna district, Lokesh flagged low teacher enrolment in several mandals, including Penamaluru, Gudivada and Machilipatnam, and instructed teachers to conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns. Officials said over 8 percent transition from private to government schools had been recorded this year.

The minister also directed officials in Tirupati district to improve infrastructure and raise school star ratings under the government’s infrastructure assessment model. In Kadapa district, he reviewed plans to expand smart kitchens, with officials confirming that 33 new smart kitchens would become operational from June.

Lokesh said the government is introducing dashboard-based monitoring systems, AI-supported learning tools, clicker technology, Chromebooks and the LEAP app to improve transparency and academic performance. He also announced plans to establish smart kitchen systems across the state within two years and develop model schools in every district.