Amaravati: In a recent review of higher education, HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh directed officials to revert to the previous fee reimbursement system for college students across the state. He highlighted urgent concerns regarding ₹3,480 crores in outstanding arrears left by the previous administration, criticizing their policies for jeopardizing students’ futures.
Lokesh addressed several pressing issues during the meeting, including the withholding of student certificates, the rampant drug use in colleges, and challenges in lecturer recruitment and university schedules. He proposed stringent measures such as appointing nodal officers and partnering with NGOs to enhance drug awareness among students.
The minister also emphasized the need for a transparent recruitment process to fill 3,220 lecturer positions and urged swift resolution of legal complexities affecting educational institutions. Additionally, Lokesh expressed worries over declining admissions in government degree colleges and instructed officials to investigate and rectify the issue promptly.
Key officials including Higher Education Secretary Saurabh Gaur and College Education Commissioner Pola Bhaskar participated in the comprehensive review aimed at revitalizing higher education standards in the state.
