GVMC school students visit APPCB, RTO and banks under STEP-UP initiative

Students of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Municipal School, Murali Nagar, were taken on an exposure visit to government offices and banking institutions on Saturday as part of the STEP-UP (Students Empowerment Programme – Upgradation Through Functional Literacy Programme), an initiative aimed at promoting experiential learning and enhancing life skills.

The students visited the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Madhavadhara, where officials briefed them on environmental conservation, air and water pollution, solid waste management, plastic pollution, road safety, transport systems, driving licences, and various public services.

They also toured the Murali Nagar branches of Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India, where they learnt about banking services, the importance of savings, opening and operating bank accounts, digital banking and online financial transactions.

GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg said learning beyond the classroom plays a vital role in the overall personality development of students. He said direct exposure to the functioning of government departments and public institutions broadens their understanding of society while nurturing a sense of civic responsibility.

The Commissioner urged students to reduce the use of single-use plastics, adopt reusable cloth bags in their daily lives, maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, and actively contribute to environmental conservation.

As part of the ‘Plastic-Free Society – Environmental Protection’ campaign, the APPCB distributed cloth bags to the students through the Commissioner to encourage eco-friendly practices.