Lokesh unveils steps for improving standards in schools, junior colleges

“The government is currently in the process to fill 16,347 vacant teacher posts, so as to improve the standard of education in the state,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

The government had signed a mega DSC file to fill these posts. In the past six months, it brought many reforms in the education sector, he said.

Revealing the plan for the next six months, he said, “A roadmap has been developed to improve standards in government schools and junior colleges. To gauge the current status of each school, a comprehensive dashboard titled "One School - One App" is being prepared.”

A state-level science expo and a sports meet under the National School Games Federation have been planned. “Another mega PTM will be conducted on the last working day of the academic year to review actions required to elevate educational standards. Arrangements are being made to provide new uniforms and bags for classes 1 to 12 under the Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Student Mitra Scheme at the beginning of the next academic year.”

He said, “Textbooks, competitive exam materials, manuals, notebooks, and records will be provided to intermediate students. Plans have been tailored to improve star ratings for each school.”

A fundamental overhaul of the curriculum for classes 1 to 12 is set for the 2025-26 academic year. Steps are being taken to effectively implement the Education Empowerment Programme in collaboration with IIT Madras. “Online leadership courses for head teachers will be conducted to enhance school management skills. The effective implementation of the academic calendar, along with the enhancement of digital infrastructure, will integrate physical and virtual education to establish better teaching methods.”

The minister said, “The enhancement of sports skills among students will be prioritized, with plans to provide sports kits. Arrangements will be made for computer labs in all government high schools.”

To improve employment opportunities, dual certification documents for vocational students in 11th and 12th grades will be issued in collaboration with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), and the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). WhatsApp groups will be started to provide key academic updates and information to students, parents and teachers. The aim is to resolve technical issues and provide 100% APAAR IDs.

Lokesh said, “In an effort to provide opportunities to unemployed teachers, the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) was conducted transparently, with 187,256 candidates passing the exam. The previous administration’s GO 117, which was detrimental to rural students, has been revoked, and a new draft model prepared.”

He claimed that political neutrality has been ensured in government schools. No photos of political leaders including the chief minister will be placed in the academic calendar. Names of non-political leaders have been assigned to various educational schemes.

“We successfully conducted the School Management Committee (SMC) elections in a smooth manner and the first-ever mega parent-teacher meetings were conducted across 44,000 government schools on Dec 7, in a festive atmosphere state-wide,” he added.