Education Minister Nara Lokesh Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Transform State’s Education System

Education Minister Nara Lokesh has announced a series of measures to address teacher shortages and enhance the quality of education in the state. Speaking on Wednesday, he revealed that 16,347 vacant teacher posts would be filled before the next academic year. “The government is committed to improving education standards and has signed a mega DSC file to expedite the recruitment process,” he said. Over the past six months, significant reforms have been introduced in the education sector.

Outlining the roadmap for the next six months, Lokesh shared plans for the launch of the "One School - One App" dashboard, designed to monitor and assess the status of schools across the state. Key initiatives include a state-level science expo, a sports meet under the National School Games Federation, and another mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) at the end of the academic year to evaluate progress and set future goals.

Under the Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Student Mitra Scheme, new uniforms and bags will be provided for students in classes 1 to 12 at the start of the next academic year. Intermediate students will receive textbooks, competitive exam materials, and other academic resources. A major curriculum overhaul for classes 1 to 12 is planned for the 2025-26 academic year, and efforts are underway to enhance star ratings for schools and effectively implement the Education Empowerment Programme in collaboration with IIT Madras.

Digital transformation is a key focus area, with plans to integrate physical and virtual education, improve digital infrastructure, and introduce online leadership courses for head teachers to bolster school management skills. Computer labs will be set up in all government high schools, and sports skills development will be prioritized, with provisions for sports kits.

To support vocational education, dual certification for students in grades 11 and 12 will be issued in collaboration with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). WhatsApp groups will be created to share academic updates with students, parents, and teachers, ensuring better communication and resolving technical challenges.

Lokesh highlighted the recent success of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), where 187,256 candidates qualified. He emphasized the transparent nature of the process and steps taken to revoke GO 117, which had been criticized for disadvantaging rural students. “We have prepared a new draft model that ensures fairness and accessibility,” he noted.

The minister also assured political neutrality in schools, stating that photos of political leaders, including the chief minister, will not be displayed in academic materials. Educational schemes have been renamed after non-political figures to maintain impartiality. He lauded the smooth conduct of School Management Committee (SMC) elections and the first-ever statewide mega Parent-Teacher Meeting held across 44,000 government schools on December 7, which he described as a festive occasion.

These measures, Lokesh asserted, aim to create a more equitable and efficient education system while addressing current challenges and preparing students for future opportunities.