Recently, an alarming incident occurred at a government school in Venkata Puram, East Godavari district, where a teacher forced students to clean his car. Before this incident could fade from public memory, another disturbing event surfaced in Eluru district. A teacher at Sri Chaitanya School in Chakapalli allegedly beat an LKG student to the point where the child lost consciousness.
These incidents highlight the crumbling state of Andhra Pradesh’s education system, which has come under severe criticism. Nara Lokesh, the Minister of Education, seems to have shifted focus from his responsibilities to political vendettas, neglecting the pressing concerns within the state’s education sector. His actions have triggered widespread discontent, with many accusing the NDA government of completely derailing the education system in the state.
A prime example of this is the “No Bag Saturday” initiative, originally introduced by the previous government, which was abruptly discontinued upon the NDA’s rise to power. Now, the same initiative is being rebranded as a new achievement by Minister Lokesh, despite the lack of effective implementation and monitoring in government schools. Allegations have surfaced that young children in government schools are being exploited under the guise of this program, though the minister has failed to address these concerns.
The previous administration also introduced various reforms aimed at improving the educational system, especially for underprivileged students in government schools. However, Nara Lokesh appears to have abandoned these reforms, focusing instead on transforming education into a profit-making venture for party loyalists like Minister Narayana. This move further entrenches the notion that education is being commercialized for political gain.
Additionally, the NDA government has failed to disburse nearly ₹3900 crore in fee reimbursements for college students. This has left 12 lakh students uncertain about their future and created a climate of anxiety within educational institutions across the state.
