Narpala (Anantapur Dist.), April 26: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy released Rs.912.71crore towards Jagananna Vasathi Deevena for boarding and lodging charges of 9,55,662 students pursuing Degree, polytechnic, ITI, Engineering and Medicine courses. The amount would be directly credited into the bank accounts of their mothers.
Addressing a public meeting here on Wednesday after releasing the amount with the click of a button, the Chief Minister said education can change not only the history of a family but also that of the entire community, he said adding that good education can also drive away poverty from the society.
The Government has so far spent Rs.14, 223crore for the Jagananna Vasathi Deevena and Vidya Deevena together, he said, observing that the previous TDP Government had totally neglected the educational sector.
Revolutionary changes have been brought about in the last four years to provide quality education for all, he said, adding that Jagananna Vasathi Deevena has been introduced to supplement the Vidya Deevena to enable students pursue their education smoothly.
The Government has so far released Rs. 4275.76crore under Jagananna Vasathi Deevena into the accounts of mothers of 25, 17,245 students. The scheme ensures payment of Rs. 10,000 each for ITI students, Rs.15,000 each for Polytechnic students and Rs, 20,000 each to students pursuing Degree, Engineering and Medicine courses in two instalments every year.
Mentioning the famous adage that knowledge is power, he said quality education provides good knowledge for all. Introduction of IFP (Interactive Flat Panels) in 30, 200 schools coupled with the subject-teacher concept will change the face of learning in the State, he observed.
Asking the people to see the difference between the past and present in the educational sector, the Chief Minister said that the dropout rate has come down while GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) went up to 72 per cent from 32.4 per cent in 2018-19.
The transformation in the educational sector has been gradually reaching a stage wherein private schools will experience the pressure to compete with Government schools which are getting equipped with modern amenities. The Government wants to see the students grow as self-made leaders with good educational qualifications, he said.
While 40 lakh students are now studying in Government schools, the number of students pursuing engineering courses has gone up to 1,20,000 from 87,000 in TDP rule, he said adding the number of drop-outs in undergraduate courses has also come down to 22, 387 from 81, 813 in the last four years.
The transformation is visible as colleges are now conducting job oriented courses, skill development and self-certification online programmes while organisations like Microsoft are training 1, 40,000 students in cyber security and others courses, he further added.
While the Government has tied up with Melbourne University and top institutes in Germany for improving the quality of education in the State, internship has also been made mandatory for degree students, said the Chief Minister, pointing out that students should strive to become Satya Nadellas and attain name and fame in their respective spheres. Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena is being implemented with this sole aim, he added.
Some of the students, who have benefited from Jagananna Vidya Kanuka and Vasathi Deevena, spoke thanking the Government and the Chief Minister.
In response to the appeal of the Singanamala MLA J. Padmavathi, he sanctioned Rs. 250crore for Gandikota drinking water project and assured to initiate the works in the next three months. He also sanctioned Rs. 26crore for the construction of two bridges on Chitravati River, Rs. 168crores towards R& R package for Chagallu reservoir, Rs. 35crore for the construction of BC Welfare Residential School and Rs. 1crore for acquiring land for the expansion of local Girls’ High School. The Chief Minister agreed to construct Ambedkar Bhavan at Singanamala.
District Collector Gowthami and Singanamala MLA J. Padmavathi also addressed the gathering.
