Workshop for legislators on AP Model of Education on March 3

Minister for Human Resource Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh has said that a workshop for legislators in the State would be held on Monday, March 3, at his residence in Undavalli near Vijayawada to discuss the proposed AP Model of Education and also to elicit views on finding an alternative to G.O. 117.

In a meeting he held with the officials of School, Intermediate and Higher Education departments, he said another meeting with university vice-chancellors, chaired by the Governor, will be convened soon to discuss improvements in higher education and improve NIRF rankings, among other issues.

The Minister directed the officials to establish a model school in every Assembly constituency across the State and initiate measures for implementation of fee reimbursement scheme for postgraduate students in the State.

Referring to the Learning Excellence in Andhra Pradesh (LEAP) programme, he said students’ progress from KG to PG level should be tracked with a focus on active learning outcomes. He also asked the officials to speed up the establishment of the proposed world-class Sports University and AI University at Amaravati.

Focus on improving the skills of students in vocational courses in ITIs and Polytechnics to match the industry needs was essential with an emphasis on employment and entrepreneurship, he said, informing that the State Skill Development Corporation was tasked with equipping the youth with the skills needed by the industry clusters that were being set up at district level.

He wanted the officials to take effective steps to reduce student drop-out rate at school, intermediate and degree levels and strengthen School Management Committees (SMCs) and involve them in the decision-making process to enhance learning outcomes.

Referring to the learning outcomes in Social Welfare and BC Welfare institutions, Mr. Lokesh wanted the officials to review them from time to time. He also suggested promotion of sports through school-level and university-level sports leagues.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary, School Education Kona Shashidhar, Director V. Vijay Rama Raju, Director of Intermediate Education Kritika Shukla, Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao, Chairman of the AP State Council of Higher Education K. Madhu Murthy, Director of College Education Narayana Bharat Gupta, AP State Skill Development Corporation Managing Director G. Ganesh Kumar, representatives of KPMG Narayana Ramaswamy, V. Soumya, V. Madhavan and others were present.