State aims to enhance public education quality above private sector: Minister Lokesh

PARVATHIPURAM: The state education minister, Nara Lokesh, announced comprehensive reforms to elevate govt education standards beyond private institutions. He expressed optimism about achieving significant progress within four years.At the Shining Stars Awards 2025 on Monday, Minister Lokesh honoured 95 tenth-grade and 26 intermediate high achievers. He outlined a 100-day action strategy for improved outcomes, highlighting initiatives like providing books and midday meals in govt junior colleges. He stressed his commitment to nurturing AP's young talents, encouraging future govt school graduates to return and inspire younger students.He said the AP govt's goal is to showcase the AP model to the world in the next two years by achieving number one in all fields. The govt is focusing on libraries at village, mandal, and constituency levels and setting up regional libraries. Steps are being taken to establish a world-class library in Amaravati. Students should focus not only on education but also on sports, NCC, and yoga. Minister Lokesh announced that cash incentives and laptops will be provided to students who secure seats in higher educational institutions, just like before.

He said govt will encourage students secure seats in IITs and NITs. Addressing the tenth-grade students, he emphasised that life presents the real challenge ahead. He cited Chief Minister Chandrababu's exemplary discipline at 75 years, maintaining remarkable energy through extensive programmes like the three-day Mahanadu."For college-bound students, life takes a new turn. One wrong choice can be detrimental.

Your conduct should honour your parents. The 'No to Drugs, Bro' campaign, initiated after witnessing a mother's distress in Chandragiri constituency during Yuvagalam Padayatra, demonstrates our govt's anti-drug stance. Poor decisions affect both you and your family," Lokesh advised.He encouraged students to maintain humility whilst achieving success. Sharing his personal experience, he said, "I chose Mangalagiri, where TDP never succeeded, for elections.

Despite losing in 2019, I persevered for five years, achieving the third-highest majority statewide. I accepted the challenging education portfolio despite contrary advice."AP aims to achieve complete literacy within four years through Mission Akshara Andhra, addressing its current low literacy ranking. The minister acknowledged India's strong response to terrorism under Modi's leadership, referencing AP's loss of Murali Nayak in Operation Sindoor.

The event concluded with students joining Lokesh in singing Vande Mataram.Students Share Aspirations on Dream WallStudents documented their ambitions on dedicated walls. G. Jithu aspires to become a software engineer, G. Jagadish aims for IAS, and C.H. Priyanka wants to teach. Bodela Jyotsna plans to contribute to infrastructure development as an engineer, R. Prajna aims to serve as a doctor, Vavilapalli Gayatri targets AI engineering, and Komarapu Gunashree wishes to innovate in software engineering.Gratitude and PromisesStudents expressed appreciation on the Gratitude Wall. K. Lokesh pledged to pursue doctorate studies and support his parents. Praharshini thanked Minister Lokesh and the college staff. Komarapu Gunashree acknowledged Chandrababu and Lokesh's encouragement. The minister assured continued support for students' aspirations. The event was attended by state ministers Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, Gummadi Sandhya Rani, whip Toyaka Jagadeeshwari, MLAs Bonela Vijayachandra and Nimmaka Jayakrishna, Education Secretary Kona Shashidhar, Intermediate Education Director Krithika Shukla, College Education Director Narayana Bharat Gupta, MLC Vepada Chiranjeevi, Collector Shyam Prasad, ITDA PO Ashutosh Srivastava, and others.