Andhra schools lure Odisha children through incentives

Amid repeated attempts of intrusion by Andhra Pradesh, now schools in the neighbouring state are attracting students from Odisha's border villages by offering incentives under its education and welfare programmes.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

According to reports, Andhra officials have successfully enrolled children from Odisha into their schools by promising better infrastructure, education, lodging facilities and financial support. Parents are also being enticed through the Amma Vadi Yojana, under which ₹15,000 is provided to the account of the student's mother. Reportedly, the neighbouring state has also arranged transport facilities such as buses to ferry the students from their areas to the schools.

The Union Ministry of Education recently initiated a process to issue unique identification numbers known as Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID to students across the country - a step that Andhra Pradesh is using to boost its student numbers by admitting children from Odisha.

Students from villages in Padua, Kulabir, Chatua, Panthlung, Kularsingh, Golur and Khinba panchayats under Nandapur block of Koraput district are studying in Andhra Pradesh schools. From Padua and Kulabir panchayats alone, more than 40 students travel by buses provided by Andhra schools. Similarly, over 60 students from Panthlung, Golur and Kularsingh panchayat are studying in 10 residential schools in Pedabaili of Andhra Pradesh.