Lokesh slams previous regime over school policies

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh on Tuesday launched a strong attack on the previous government’s education policies, stating that the controversial G.O. 117 issued during 2019-24 drove poor students away from government schools and weakened the public education system.

Responding to a question raised by Palasa MLA Gouthu Sirisha during the Assembly Question Hour, Lokesh said the present government fulfilled its electoral promise by scrapping the order soon after coming to power. He alleged that despite the implementation of the Nadu-Nedu programme under the previous administration, as many as 233 schools were pushed towards closure.

The minister emphasized that strengthening classroom-level teaching remains central to education reforms. “The One Class-One Teacher policy is crucial for improving learning outcomes. Earlier, only about 3 per cent of schools followed this model; we have now increased it to 33 per cent,” he said, adding that the reform would significantly enhance academic performance and examination results.

Lokesh stated that the government has identified five key infrastructure priorities for school development, leak-proof buildings, proper painting, benches, functional toilets, and safe drinking water facilities. He revealed that a statewide rating system had been introduced for government schools, noting that none currently qualify for a five-star rating. Nearly 40 per cent of schools fall within the one- and two-star categories, and the government’s goal is to upgrade all institutions to at least three- and four-star standards.

He assured the Assembly that pending infrastructure works would be completed on a war footing, particularly in areas facing shortages of classrooms. The minister disclosed that School Management Committee (SMC) accounts currently hold Rs. 200 crore, while an additional Rs. 800 crore has been allocated in the state budget. Together, nearly Rs. 1,000 crore is expected to be spent next year to strengthen basic infrastructure in government schools. Lokesh also announced that steps would be taken to clear pending bills related to works executed between 2014 and 2019.