In a significant move aimed at improving attendance and educational standards in government colleges, Minister Nara Lokesh has announced the provision of mid-day meals for Intermediate students. This decision was made during a review meeting at Undavalli on Monday, attended by senior officials from the Departments of School Education and Intermediate Education.
During the meeting, Minister Lokesh highlighted the high dropout rates among economically disadvantaged students after completing Class 10. He suggested that the introduction of mid-day meals in government Intermediate colleges could help reduce these dropout rates. Additionally, he proposed the creation of a question bank for underperforming Intermediate students.
As part of the initiative, the Minister proposed identifying slow learners through assessments under the Sankalp programme and assigning college lecturers and staff as “caretakers” for these students.
He also recommended necessary repairs to severely damaged government junior colleges across the state.
Minister Lokesh further emphasised the importance of holding Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) on December 7 in government schools across the state. He instructed that no political party flags, banners, or symbols should be displayed at the meetings to ensure neutrality. Ministers, legislators, and other representatives from their constituencies will attend the meetings. Minister Lokesh confirmed that both Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and he would participate in the Mega PTM at Bapatla Government High School.
The review meeting also focused on enhancing the quality of education and infrastructure in government schools. A star-rating system will be introduced, with 18 standardized criteria for evaluation. To improve the pass rate of Class 10 students, a 100-day action plan will be implemented. The curriculum overhaul for the next academic year will place a focus on life skills, social responsibility, moral values, gender equality, and civic sense from an early age. The Minister emphasised incorporating the Japanese model of life skills into the curriculum.
Minister Lokesh also announced the cancellation of the controversial GO 117 introduced by the previous government, which aimed at restructuring the school education system. He stressed the need to gather feedback at the grassroots level for better policy implementation, including inviting School Management Committees (SMCs) to participate in discussions. He clarified that school grounds would only be used for job fairs and no other activities.
Among those present at the meeting were School Education Secretary Kona Sasidhar, Commissioner Vijayaramaraju, and Intermediate Education Director Kritika Shukla.
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