CM Jagan Releases Rs 680.44 Cr for Nine Lakh Students under JVD Scheme

TIRUPATI: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday released Rs 680.44 crore towards the ‘Jagananna Vidya Deevena’ (JVD) scheme for the second quarter of 2023. This initiative is set to benefit 9,32,235 students across various educational streams.

Addressing a public gathering prior to disbursing the funds in Nagari constituency, the Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to usher in transformative educational reforms. He emphasised the pivotal role of education in eradicating poverty and societal challenges.

“JVD was conceived with the vision of facilitating 100 per cent fee reimbursement, thereby eliminating financial barriers to pursue higher education”, he noted.

“Over the past four years, the government has allocated Rs 69,289 crore exclusively for educational advancements. Among the landmark programmes are JVD, Vasathi Deevena, Amma Vodi, Videshi Vidya Deevena, Goru Mudda, Vidya Kanuka, YSR Sampoorna Poshana, Nadu-Nedu, YSR Kalyanamasthu and YSR Shadi Tohfa. These initiatives have borne fruit, with the distribution of tablets to eighth-grade students, digitisation of education with interactive flat panels from the sixth grade, introduction of English medium of instruction, bilingual textbooks and integration of a private online education player's content”, Jagan Mohan Reddy noted.

He added that the government's efforts have led to the establishment of a subject-teacher concept from the third grade, along with enhanced facilities in government schools. Additionally, implementation of TOEFL training is set to enhance communication skills, while introduction of job-oriented curricula and educational verticals will equip students to compete and prove their worth across national and international job markets. He said they will shortly introduce courses containing the “International Baccalaureate”, syllabus.

“The government's commitment to the Vidya Deevena programme is evident from the fact that we have disbursed Rs 11,317 crore under Vidya Deevena and another Rs 4,275 crore under Vasathi Deevena”, he added.

Highlighting the transparent approach, the Chief Minister assured mothers of students that quarterly fee reimbursement would be promptly processed following the conclusion of each quarter. He urged parents to visit educational institutions, evaluate teaching quality and facilities and report shortcomings, if any, through the toll-free number 1902 or Jaganannaku Chebudam helplines.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister set foundation stones for a model police station, a residential school for boys and a 100-bed hospital.

Responding to a plea by local MLA and tourism minister R.K. Roja, he announced the removal of electricity duty on power looms and vowed to expedite work related to the three reservoirs of Galeru Nagari Srujala Sravanthi project.

Ministers B. Satyanarayana, Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, K.V. Ushasri Charan and M. Nagarjuna also attended the programme.