Andhra Pradesh Tops India in PM SHRI Fund Utilisation

Why in News

• Andhra Pradesh has secured the top position in India in the utilisation of funds under the PM SHRI Scheme.
• Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh reviewed the performance of the Education Department and announced several measures aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure, student welfare, and learning outcomes.

PM SHRI Fund Utilisation: Andhra Pradesh Leads the Country

• Andhra Pradesh ranked Andhra Pradesh had secured the top position in the country in the utilisation of funds under the Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) Scheme.
• PM SHRI is a Central Government initiative aimed at:
• Modernising government schools.
• Improving infrastructure and learning environments.
• Promoting quality education aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP).
• The Minister congratulated Education Department officials for achieving the top national ranking.

Key Educational Infrastructure Initiatives

Smart Kitchens in Schools

• The government plans to construct 844 smart kitchens across the State.
• The initiative will follow the Kadapa model to improve the quality and hygiene of school meals.

Student Learning Materials

• Distribution of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra Kits has commenced.
• The process will be completed before the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting programme.

Hostel Infrastructure for Girls

• The government will provide:
  • 53,180 bunk beds
  • Benefiting 1,06,360 girl students
  • Across 430 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs)
• Similar facilities will be extended to residential schools and colleges.

Junior College Student Support

• Educational kits are being distributed to 2,03,430 students studying in government junior colleges.

Welfare Measures for Students

Talliki Vandanam Scheme

The government decided to extend benefits of the scheme to orphaned children.

Measures include:

• Collection of guardian details.
• Transfer of benefits through guardians where available.
• Funds routed through District Collectors when guardians are absent.
• Direct transfer into children’s bank accounts.
• Proposal for a permanent mechanism enabling access to accumulated funds after completion of education.

This initiative aims to ensure that no child is excluded from educational welfare benefits.

Improving Learning Outcomes

The Minister emphasised improving student performance and school participation.

Key Targets

• Maintain school attendance above 95%.
• Improve foundational and subject-specific learning outcomes.

Special Focus Districts

Educationally backward districts identified for targeted interventions include:

• Kurnool, Anantapur, Marka Puram, Alluri Sitharama Raju District, Polavaram Region

Measures Proposed

• Assessment of teacher availability.
• Preparation of district-specific action plans.
•  Additional academic support for weaker students.

Educational Reforms and Governance Measures

Regulation of Private Schools

• Removal of unnecessary conditions in granting permissions to private unaided schools.
• Mandatory public display of approved fee structures.
• Greater transparency in school fee regulation.

Telugu Academy Books Online

• Telugu Academy textbooks will be made available through:
  • Amazon, Flipkart

This will improve accessibility for students and the general public.

Strengthening Core Subjects

The government expressed concern over failures in:

• Mathematics, Science, Telugu

To address this, officials were directed to:

• Provide bridge-course material.
• Conduct remedial coaching.
• Organise additional classes for academically weaker students.

Mid-Day Meal Monitoring

• Greater emphasis on quality and transparency in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
• Measures to ensure better nutritional support for students.

Conclusion

Andhra Pradesh’s top ranking in PM SHRI fund utilisation demonstrates effective implementation of educational schemes. The State’s focus on infrastructure development, welfare support for vulnerable children, digital access, and learning improvement highlights a multi-dimensional strategy aimed at creating an inclusive, efficient, and student-centric education system.