Reforms In Intermediate Education Soon: Lokesh

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh on Friday said that several reforms are being introduced in Intermediate education after the TDP-led NDA government came to power.

Pointing out that not even textbooks were supplied to the students for five years by the previous government, Lokesh said that for the first time textbooks were supplied to the students after he became the Minister for Education.

Replying to a question raised by Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao in the Assembly, he felt that the student strength in the government junior colleges has come down drastically as there was not enough staff strength, particularly the teachers, in the junior colleges.

Lokesh said that after the alliance government is formed in the State the admissions have gone up by over 15,000 in the junior colleges which he said is a welcome step.

"After dividing the students into A, B and C categories, bridge courses are being conducted to those who are weak in certain subjects," Lokesh said and stated that the efforts are on to see to it that the government colleges compete with the Narayana Institutions.

"We have sought some inputs from the Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, who is the head of these Narayana Institutions. He made certain suggestions when he attended a workshop as the chief guest on Thursday," the IT and Electronics Minister said. Maintaining that focus is now being laid on the buildings, faculty and material by holding meetings with the senior officers of the Secondary and Intermediate Education Boards, Lokesh promised on the floor of the House to develop the necessary infrastructure by introducing ranking mechanisms in government schools.

A decision has been taken to review the results periodically and also inform the parents of the students, the Minister said that mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) will be conducted across the State in the first week of December.

"I appeal to all the MLAs to take part in these meetings and all the MLAs can visit the government schools under their respective jurisdiction and give the feedback," Lokesh said.