Lokesh Seeks Central Support to Strengthen Andhra Pradesh Education

Amaravati, Dec 2025 : Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education and IT, Nara Lokesh, on Monday met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi and sought substantial financial assistance from the Centre to further strengthen the state’s education ecosystem under key national schemes.

During the meeting, Lokesh requested ₹4,400 crore in financial support under the STARS Project as part of the Samagra Shiksha reforms. He also sought approval for an additional ₹1,270 crore proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government for the 2025–26 financial year, stressing that the funds are crucial to implementing large-scale reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes across government schools.

The state minister urged the Union Education Minister to approve Andhra Pradesh’s proposal for sanctioning 11 new Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) to expand access to quality residential education for rural and underprivileged students. He also requested the Centre to expedite steps for the establishment and operationalisation of 12 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) that have already been allotted to the state, highlighting the growing demand for central schools in several districts.

Lokesh further appealed for permission to launch 155 Smart Kitchens on a pilot basis under the PM POSHAN scheme. He said the initiative would help modernise the mid-day meal programme by improving efficiency, food quality and transparency, while also ensuring better nutrition for students.

Briefing the Union Minister on the initiatives undertaken by the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh said the state is implementing a series of innovative reforms to enhance student learning at all levels. He highlighted the launch of the Guaranteed Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) programme, which aims to ensure that all primary school students acquire essential reading and numeracy skills at an early stage.

The minister also spoke about the introduction of a clicker-based Interactive Classroom Response System in government schools. The technology-driven initiative, he explained, is designed to increase student participation, provide real-time feedback to teachers and improve overall classroom engagement.

Emphasising the importance of constitutional values, Lokesh informed the Union Minister that the state government had organised a student mock assembly titled ‘Andhra Pradesh School Legislature’ on Constitution Day. He added that the government has also published the Children’s Constitution of India in book form to help students understand democratic principles and civic responsibilities from a young age.

Lokesh further noted that Andhra Pradesh has launched the country’s first government-managed Central Smart Kitchen in Kadapa, marking a significant step in strengthening the mid-day meal ecosystem through improved management and accountability.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appreciated the reforms and initiatives undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh government to raise education standards. During the meeting, Lokesh also invited Pradhan to inaugurate the Model Autism Support Centre developed at Chinakakani in Guntur district, which has been established with support from the Government of India.

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of State Pemmassani Chandra Sekhar, and several Members of Parliament were present during the meeting.

Team Maverick.