Enhance school facilities: Lokesh

State Education, IT, and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh has directed officials to provide comprehensive training and capacity building for principals and secondary grade teachers through the ‘Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation’ (SALT) project, aiming to improve educational standards in government schools across the state. Minister Lokesh held a review meeting at his Undavalli residence with senior officials from School Education and Samagra Shiksha on Monday.
During the meeting, the minister urged officials to complete the training of School Management Committees (SMCs) by the end of October. He emphasised the need for active participation of SMC members in enhancing school facilities and academic results. Minister Lokesh stressed that principals should not take over responsibilities meant for SMC members in feedback apps related to school management. He also suggested the development of a separate app to gather SMC members’ opinions effectively.
The minister instructed officials to ensure the immediate provision of teaching and learning materials to schools. Referring to the ‘Vidya Kanuka’ scheme, he called for a uniform pattern for boys and girls’ attire and made it clear that no political influences should be reflected in the textbooks provided to students. He expressed concern over the attendance rate, which stands at only 70%, despite the substantial investments made in government school facilities, and called for measures to boost attendance. The quality of bags, shoes, and dictionaries distributed to students was also discussed.
School Education Secretary Kona Sasidhar, Director Vijayaramaraju, Intermediate Education Director Kritika Shukla, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan State Project Director B Srinivasa Rao, and other officials participated in the meeting.