Amaravati: The previous administration dismantled the education sector, leaving it in disarray, said Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, during a National Education Day program in Vijayawada on Monday. At the event, held to distribute ‘Best Teacher’ awards, Lokesh criticized the former government for neglecting educational needs and pushing initiatives without adequate consultation.
“Decisions were made haphazardly, as if advised by spirits overnight,” Lokesh remarked, referencing policies like GO 117, which led to the closure of numerous schools. He pointed out that not a single teaching position was filled in five years, nor were proper exams conducted for around 1,000 schools on par with CBSE standards. He lamented that the majority of students struggled with exams introduced by the current government, which exposed the inadequate preparation under the previous administration.
Lokesh pledged to restore the sector with a commitment to consult experts and conduct thorough studies before making educational changes. The previous government’s lack of planning imposed a Rs 6,500 crore financial burden on the state in unpaid fee reimbursements and bills. Additionally, he noted a drop of four lakh students in government schools, a statistic driving the current government’s decision to re-evaluate past policies.
Lokesh, an alumnus of Stanford University, emphasized his dedication to overhauling the education system from KG to PG, vowing to restore quality education and ensure each class has a dedicated teacher. His goal, he stated, is to mold students into “job-creators” rather than job-seekers, aiming to bring back “past glory” to Andhra Pradesh’s academic landscape.
