In another credit goes to Education Minister Nara Lokesh, for his keen interest towards streamlining and modernising education system in the state, the Andhra Pradesh has topped the list of states that have benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PMSRI) scheme launched by the central government to modernize government schools in line with the National Education Policy (NEP).
AP is the first state in which the highest number of schools have been selected among the southern states, and our state is ranked 2nd after Uttar Pradesh at the national level. As part of this, the central government provides financial assistance to the selected government schools. So far, the center has selected 14,500 schools across the country, of which 982 schools are from the state.
Excluding Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas, 935 government schools in Andhra Pradesh have been selected for this scheme. Uttar Pradesh is the state that has benefited the most with 1,725 schools. This year, the central government has selected 80 schools. The utilization of funds and progress of work are monitored from time to time through a mobile app.
Each school is provided with annual school management funds ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1.50 lakh based on the number of students. The central government has sanctioned Rs. 494 crore this year under PMShri. In addition to the 80 schools that were recently given, another Rs. 87 crore has been released. Special steps are being taken to create infrastructure in these schools.
Environmentally friendly measures like developing them into green schools, generating solar power, water conservation, and waste management are being encouraged.
SSA SPD B. Srinivasa Rao said that the government is giving new guidelines to the AP education system with things like PMShri, autism centers, no bag day, scouts, and personalized adaptive learning. He said that the state is moving towards the AP Model of Education and the government is working for the holistic educational development of students.