Collector urges students to aim higher
District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore on Monday urged students to view the Shining Stars awards as the beginning of their academic journey and continue striving for excellence through discipline, hard work and smart learning.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony at the VMRDA Children’s Arena, Mr. Kishore said the recognition should motivate students to aim higher rather than regard it as the culmination of their efforts. Recalling that he had received an award from the then District Collector, S.S. Rawat, during his school days and had also topped his Class X examination, he said sustained focus and perseverance were key to success.
Referring to the State government’s thrust on education, he said the Learning Excellence in Andhra Pradesh (LEAP) programme was helping improve learning outcomes, with attendance and academic performance being monitored regularly in all 594 government schools in the district. He also urged students to pursue sports alongside academics and make the best use of the opportunities available to them.
A total of 134 students from 11 mandals who excelled in the March 2026 Class X and Intermediate public examinations received the Shining Stars awards. The government distributed cash incentives of ₹20,000 each, amounting to ₹26.80 lakh, besides presenting medals and copies of the biography of Swami Vivekananda.
East MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu said the awards would inspire more students to excel, while North MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju advised parents not to compare children based on examination scores and urged them to minimise mobile phone use. VMRDA Chairman Pranav Gopal said the performance of government school students reflected the steady improvement in the State’s public education system and attributed it to initiatives such as the LEAP programme.
Earlier, the dignitaries visited student exhibits, including the Ambition Wall, Gratitude Wall, and Dream Wall. Cultural performances and an NCC ceremonial welcome were among the highlights of the programme, which was attended by students, parents, and teachers in large numbers.