Prepare plan to upgrade all schools to four-star status by 2029, Lokesh directs officials

Education Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to upgrade all schools in Andhra Pradesh to four-star status by 2029, with at least 1,000 schools being developed to five-star status.

Reviewing school infrastructure and skill development programmes at his residence in Undavalli on October 5, Mr. Lokesh called for expediting infrastructure development works in schools. He instructed officials to ensure that all zero-star schools were upgraded to one-star status and all one-star schools to two-star status within a year.

Special attention should be paid to schools in Agency areas, he said. He also directed officials to prepare plans to develop 175 LEAP schools, one in each Assembly constituency.

School Infrastructure Commissioner Ranjit Basha informed the Minister that the State currently has 1,685 one-star schools, 15,618 two-star schools, 19,099 three-star schools and 7,172 four-star schools.

Mr. Lokesh directed officials to establish computer laboratories and Atal Tinkering Labs in 7,000 high schools. He also asked them to make effective use of Central government schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme and Prime Minister’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme.

The Minister further directed officials to improve employment opportunities for young people by providing training in foreign languages, including German and Japanese.