PaperDabba News Desk: 17 July 2024
The Andhra Pradesh government is taking significant steps to address the challenges faced by students in various state colleges. The Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, has directed officials to develop new policies for fee reimbursement, replacing the current schemes of Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena.
Addressing Outstanding Dues
During a review meeting held on Monday, Minister Lokesh expressed concern over the previous government’s failure to clear dues amounting to ₹3,480 crore. These unpaid dues have led to students’ certificates being withheld by educational institutions, putting their futures at risk. The minister highlighted that such reckless policies have left many students precarious.
Combating Drug Abuse in Colleges
Minister Lokesh also stressed the need for stringent measures to curb drug abuse in colleges. He instructed officials to consider the appointment of dedicated nodal officers to tackle this issue. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of collaborating with voluntary organizations to raise awareness among students about the dangers of drug use.
Filling Lecturer Posts
The review meeting also addressed the steps required to fill 3,220 lecturer posts nationwide. The minister called for a transparent and merit-based recruitment process, free from political interference. He urged officials to resolve any legal hurdles and expedite the recruitment process to fill the vacant positions as soon as possible.
Improving University Schedules
Minister Lokesh directed officials to prepare an academic and examination calendar for universities, ensuring timely conduct of exams and announcement of results. This initiative aims to bring more structure and predictability to the academic year, benefiting students and faculty.
Boosting Admissions in Government Degree Colleges
The decline in admissions to government degree colleges over the past five years has raised concerns. Minister Lokesh urged officials to take serious measures to increase enrollment. He suggested including detailed information about educational institutions, infrastructure, admissions, and ongoing court cases in a centralized dashboard for better monitoring and decision-making.
Reviewing Engineering Colleges and Private Universities
The meeting also covered the admission process and fee structure in engineering colleges. Discussions were held on the state’s performance in private universities, the selection of colleges for apprenticeship-embedded degree programs, and the establishment of new institutions like the Sri Potti Sreeramulu and Ambedkar Open Universities.
Higher Education Secretary Saurabh Gaur, Commissioner of College Education Pola Bhaskar, Higher Education Department In-charge Chairman Rammohan Rao, and Technical Education Director B. Navya were in attendance.
Minister Lokesh’s proactive approach aims to resolve long-standing issues in the higher education sector, ensuring a better future for the students of Andhra Pradesh.
