Lokesh Seeks ₹36,000 Crore for Education, Unveils Andhra Model
IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday said the State is working towards building an “Andhra model of education” that can be showcased globally, highlighting reforms undertaken over the last 20 months.
Speaking in the Assembly during the discussion on demands for grants, Lokesh sought ₹34,875 crore for education, ₹1,232 crore for skill development and training, and ₹537 crore for IT, electronics, and communications.
He called for coordinated efforts to help students from Andhra Pradesh compete at the international level and stressed the need to further improve learning outcomes. He urged MLAs to adopt two schools in every mandal and submit feedback on infrastructure and academic gaps.
Targeting the previous YSR Congress Party government, Lokesh said nearly 10 lakh students had left government schools following G.O. No. 117, which, he alleged, led to disorganised restructuring. The order has since been withdrawn, he said.
The Minister said the government saved around ₹1,000 crore by streamlining the procurement of school kits, eggs, and other supplies. He added that “clicker technology” has been introduced in 46,000 schools to monitor and improve classroom engagement.
Lokesh also accused senior leaders of the previous regime of facilitating the appointment of relatives in universities. He said legal issues delaying faculty recruitment are being addressed and that notifications for appointments would be issued within 90 days.
The State aims to create 20 lakh jobs over the next five years, he said, adding that the ‘Naipunyam’ portal will be launched soon to strengthen skill mapping and employment opportunities. Artificial intelligence will be deployed to assess student performance at scale.
He further said libraries across the State are being strengthened. The design for a proposed central library in Amaravati has been finalised through a competition, and construction will be supported by a ₹100 crore contribution from Sobha Realty.