HRD Minister examines edu kits for pupils

HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced several landmark education initiatives and reforms, terming the ongoing Mega DSC for recruitment of 16,347 teachers a golden chapter in the State's history.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Vijayawada

He held a marathon 4-hour review meeting with senior officials from the departments of school and college education at his residence in Undavalli on Friday.

Lokesh congratulated officials for the smooth conduct of the first day of the Mega DSC when School Education Commissioner V Vijaya Rama Raju informed 88% attendance in the morning session of DSC and 86% in the evening. "From now on, DSCs will be conducted every year, and the Andhra Pradesh Model of Education will be fully realised in the next four years," Lokesh said.

He highlighted that 27,000 school assistants were transferred online, and over 4,000 promoted in a fully transparent, political interference-free process. Revealing a major new initiative, Lokesh said a special programme titled Akshara Andhra will be launched to achieve 100% literacy in the State. Shocked that 81 lakh people in the 15-59 age group are still illiterate, he said the adult education programme will be taken up in mission mode.

"In March, 3.95 lakh people were tested under the Ullas programme, and 90.12% passed.