Education sector gets lion’s share

By allocating ₹24,185 crore to the education sector in the 2018-19 budget, the government wanted to show its determination to transform Andhra Pradesh into a knowledge society.

Knowledge hub

The very purpose of launching the Knowledge Mission is to provide a big boost to the education sector.

In an attempt to address the social maladies that have been preventing smooth educational journey of the girl children, the government launched a unique programme called ‘Badikosta’ and allocated ₹160 crore for it. Under this programme, girl students studying in classes 8 and 9 are given bicycles that paves the way for their hassle-free mobility and also becomes a tool of empowerment.

The government has been promoting the concept of digital classrooms in a big way. Funds to the tune of ₹117 crore have been proposed to be spent on equipping classrooms in schools and colleges with digital mode. The idea is to take quality education to the grassroots level and enable students of villages make the best of it.

An additional ₹100 crore has been earmarked for maintenance of clean toilets in schools. This is to ensure hygienic surroundings, and thus a satisfactory attendance record of the students.

Impressed by the concept of model schools initiated by the Centre, but discontinued in 2015-16, the State proposes to embrace this system and has allocated a sum of ₹377 crore for it.

A healthy child will learn well. This realisation of the government reflects in the proposal to extend mid-day meal scheme to the Intermediate level, with a budgetary allocation of ₹23 crore.

To improve the nutritional quotient in children, the number of eggs to be served per week has been increased from three to five, with an additional outlay of ₹266 crore.

Focus on new varsities

An allocation of ₹21, 612 crore has been made for secondary education, an increase of 20 % this year, while the higher education wing gets ₹2,835 crore.

English Labs are proposed to be set up in degree college to address the lack of communication skills among students. The government is also keen on improving infrastructure in degree colleges by constructing new buildings, adding new collection of books to libraries and modernising them.

To spruce up the new universities in the State, funds of ₹40 crore each is proposed to be spent on Adikavi Nannaya University in Rajamahendravaram, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University in Srikakulam, Rayalaseema University and Urdu University in Kurnool, Yogi Vemana University in Kadapa, and Vikramasimhapuri University in Nellore.

An additional ₹20 crore has been sanctioned for Sri Padmavathi Mahila Univeristy in Tirupati to provide a hostel facility to students.

An amount of ₹300 crore has been granted to the Skill Development Department and ₹176 crore is proposed to be spent for construction of ITIs and modernisation of laboratories.

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