Minister Nara Lokesh Meets Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, met Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi today. During the meeting, Lokesh requested that the All India Education Ministers' Conclave, scheduled for August this year, be hosted in Andhra Pradesh. He also sought the central government's support for the state's efforts to strengthen its education system.
Lokesh stated that the conclave would serve as a platform to discuss key educational reforms. He alleged that financial mismanagement and underutilization of allocated resources by the previous government had hindered the state's education system. As a result, significant arrears had accumulated, affecting the development of infrastructure and other critical areas. He urged the central government to increase funding for Andhra Pradesh, particularly for Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), skill education, ICT-based learning, and quality enhancement initiatives.
The Andhra Pradesh government aims to strengthen primary education by establishing model primary schools in every panchayat. Lokesh emphasized that substantial budgetary allocations would be required for this initiative and urged the central government to allocate maximum funds for Andhra Pradesh in the 2025-26 budget.
Regarding the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in the state, Lokesh stated that the scheme had shown remarkable progress, leading to increased demand from parents, community members, and public representatives. Of the 2,369 schools proposed under Phases 1 and 2 of the PM SHRI scheme, only 855 were approved. Lokesh requested the approval of the remaining 1,514 schools under Phase 3.
For the development of higher education in Andhra Pradesh under the "Purvodaya" scheme, Lokesh sought substantial financial assistance. He requested ₹3,229 crore for infrastructure development in universities, ₹555 crore for constructing 37 government college buildings, and ₹330 crore for upgrading classrooms, laboratories, and library infrastructure in existing degree colleges.
Lokesh also sought ₹50 crore each for building infrastructure at Abdul Kalam Urdu University in Kurnool and Andhra Kesari University in Ongole, ₹150 crore for setting up 10 women's colleges, ₹30 crore for establishing two model degree colleges, and ₹250 crore for an AI, renewable energy, and emerging technologies center of excellence.
Furthermore, he requested ₹80 crore (₹20 crore each) for setting up incubation hubs in four major universities, ₹50 crore for a Higher Education Faculty Training Institute, ₹80 crore for constructing international student hostels in select universities, and ₹180 crore for upgrading facilities in university hostels. Overall, Lokesh urged the central government to allocate ₹5,684 crore under the Purvodaya scheme to transform Andhra Pradesh into a hub for research, innovation, and academic excellence.
Lokesh stated that the conclave would serve as a platform to discuss key educational reforms. He alleged that financial mismanagement and underutilization of allocated resources by the previous government had hindered the state's education system. As a result, significant arrears had accumulated, affecting the development of infrastructure and other critical areas. He urged the central government to increase funding for Andhra Pradesh, particularly for Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), skill education, ICT-based learning, and quality enhancement initiatives.
The Andhra Pradesh government aims to strengthen primary education by establishing model primary schools in every panchayat. Lokesh emphasized that substantial budgetary allocations would be required for this initiative and urged the central government to allocate maximum funds for Andhra Pradesh in the 2025-26 budget.
Regarding the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in the state, Lokesh stated that the scheme had shown remarkable progress, leading to increased demand from parents, community members, and public representatives. Of the 2,369 schools proposed under Phases 1 and 2 of the PM SHRI scheme, only 855 were approved. Lokesh requested the approval of the remaining 1,514 schools under Phase 3.
For the development of higher education in Andhra Pradesh under the "Purvodaya" scheme, Lokesh sought substantial financial assistance. He requested ₹3,229 crore for infrastructure development in universities, ₹555 crore for constructing 37 government college buildings, and ₹330 crore for upgrading classrooms, laboratories, and library infrastructure in existing degree colleges.
Lokesh also sought ₹50 crore each for building infrastructure at Abdul Kalam Urdu University in Kurnool and Andhra Kesari University in Ongole, ₹150 crore for setting up 10 women's colleges, ₹30 crore for establishing two model degree colleges, and ₹250 crore for an AI, renewable energy, and emerging technologies center of excellence.
Furthermore, he requested ₹80 crore (₹20 crore each) for setting up incubation hubs in four major universities, ₹50 crore for a Higher Education Faculty Training Institute, ₹80 crore for constructing international student hostels in select universities, and ₹180 crore for upgrading facilities in university hostels. Overall, Lokesh urged the central government to allocate ₹5,684 crore under the Purvodaya scheme to transform Andhra Pradesh into a hub for research, innovation, and academic excellence.