AP Education Minister Nara Lokesh Introduces Reforms for Schools and Teachers

Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh formally inaugurated the 'Dokka Seethamma Midday Meal Scheme' across the state today. The launch event was held at the Payakapuram Government Junior College in Vijayawada, where the minister personally initiated the program and addressed the gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, Nara Lokesh highlighted that his first decision upon assuming office as the Education Minister was to ensure that “political influence has no place in the education department.” He emphasized that photos of politicians or party colors would not appear in any educational programs or materials provided to students. Lokesh stated, “We have decided not to print our names on the materials given to students. Instead, we have chosen to name programs and initiatives after inspirational figures who have contributed to society.”

The minister further explained, “We distributed school kits under the name of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and today we launched the midday meal scheme in the name of Dokka Seethamma. In the past, whenever government programs were organized, students were often taken to attend these events, whether it was a Chief Minister’s or a Minister’s function. However, after I took charge as Education Minister, I issued clear orders that students will not be made to attend such events. Their sole responsibility is to focus on their education.”

Lokesh also stated that, apart from job fairs, no other non-academic programs would be allowed in schools and junior colleges. Addressing the concerns of teachers, he said, “Previously, teachers faced numerous difficulties due to the excessive burden of multiple apps. Our coalition government has decided to eliminate this burden by reducing the mandatory use of these apps.”