C Pradeep Kumar
VIJAYAWADA
There is no dearth of government schemes in the country, but when they make a change in the lives of all of the targeted beneficiaries, it’s something special. Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme, the brainchild of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, is providing financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to the mothers or a recognised guardian from the below poverty line (BPL) households, to help them educate her children from Class I to Intermediate in all recognised government, private aided and private unaided schools, junior colleges, including residential colleges across Andhra Pradesh.
The ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme introduced by the State government in the 2020-21 academic year came as a boon for the children, who dropped out of schools due to poverty. They got a chance to enroll themselves in government schools again.
“Your child’s education is my responsibility. No matter what you study, leave the costs to the government. Never fret that financial conditions are not supporting your education. I stand as a guarantee for your education,” said Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy time and again, reassuring parents and children about continuing their education from the very beginning. “Education,” the Chief Minister says, “is the only asset we can give to change their lives.”
On Wednesday, CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, as the fourth tranche of ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme, deposited an amount of Rs 6,392.94 crore directly into the bank accounts of 42,61,965 mothers, benefiting a total of 83,15,341 students from Classes 1 to Intermediate. With this latest disbursement, the total financial assistance provided through the ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ stands at Rs 26,067.28 crore.
At the event, a heart-touching testimony was shared by a Class 9 girl student Manasvini from Kurupam where she extended her gratitude and commended CM Jagan for empowering her life. She said, “We are given everything, from uniforms and shoes, to CBSE books for free. We also have good clarity about what we want to become in the future. All thanks to Jagan Mamayya.”
Government schools in the State are symbols of English medium studies and self-confidence among students, said Sucharitha, another student studying in a government school in Kurupam constituency.
Education Minister B Satyanarayana said that many reforms were brought by CM Jagan in the education sector, which was a model to other States. He further said that people across India who talk about education refer to Andhra Pradesh and the reforms introduced by CM Jagan. AP stands tall in digital education on a large scale on par with other States.
The minister pointed out that it was the same State budget and official machinery. Only the leader has changed. He said, “Demonstrating or proving how much better the governance would be when the leader is capable and sincere. In these four years, the Jagan government has spent Rs 66,464,62 crore on reforms alone in the education sector. With a noble intention to reduce the dropout rate significantly in schools, 75 percent attendance is made mandatory for availing benefits under Jagananna Amma Vodi. The mothers should take the responsibility of sending their children to school regularly to ensure at least 75 per cent attendance.”
