Andhra Pradesh aims to be a model with best education practices, says Lokesh

HRD Minister N. Lokesh was addressing a program held to celebrate the top performing students of Class X and Intermediate at Tadepalli on Monday. | Photo credit: HANDOUT

IT, Electronics and Communications and Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday (June 29, 2026) said he wished Andhra Pradesh to emerge as a role model for the entire country with its best practices in pedagogy and school education.

Appreciating students who excelled in Class X and Intermediate examinations in a program held at Tadepalli on Monday, the minister named the top performers or ‘shining stars’ as brand ambassadors and praised them for boosting public confidence in government schools and restoring their glory.

The minister said he was proud of their achievements and hoped their outstanding performance would boost admissions to state schools. “Next year, two million children are expected to switch from private to public schools,” he said, adding that a major meeting of parents and teachers would be held in July.

Addressing the students, he said that as he had promised at the previous meeting, he had restored prestige to state schools with the support of the students. He also expressed the hope that more students would consider entering politics to bring about a positive change in society.

HRD Minister N. Lokesh during a felicitation program at Tadepalli on Monday. | Photo credit: HANDOUT

The HRD minister said that if there is a need to put up a ‘no admission’ sign at the gates of government schools today, the credit goes to the ‘shining stars’ – the hard work of teachers and parents – and the 100-day action plan.

Noting that the education reforms required nearly two years of sustained effort, Mr. Lokesh said the government was spending nearly ₹1,000 per student and urged them to match this investment by being successful.

Recalling that the ‘One Class, One Teacher’ initiative was a game changer, he said that many reforms including curriculum reforms, Thalliki Vandanam programme, introduction of millet chikki, ‘No Bag Day’ among others had brought change and increased the pass percentage of class X from 72.8% to 78.39%.

During the programme, Mr. Lokesh presented ₹30,000 in prizes, medals and certificates to 55 Class X students and laptops and medals to 61 intermediate top performers.

Director of School Education Tamim Ansariya, Commissioner of Secondary Education Ranjith Basha and other officials were among those present.

Published – 29 Jun 2026 20:27 IST