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VIJAYAWADA: HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced several landmark education initiatives and reforms, terming the ongoing Mega DSC for recruitment of 16,347 teachers a golden chapter in

the State’s history.

He held a marathon 4-hour review meeting with senior officials from the departments of school, college and adult education at his residence in Undavalli on Friday.

Lokesh congratulated officials for the smooth conduct of the first day of the Mega DSC when School Education Commissioner V Vijaya Rama Raju informed 88% attendance in the morning session of

DSC, and 86% in the evening. “From now on, DSCs will be conducted every year, and the Andhra Pradesh Model of Education will be fully realised in the next four years,” Lokesh said.

He highlighted that 27,000 school assistants were transferred online, and over 4,000 promoted in a transparent and political interference-free process. Revealing a major new initiative,

Lokesh said a special programme titled Akshara Andhra will be launched to achieve 100% literacy in the State. Shocked that 81 lakh people in the 15-59 age group are still illiterate, he said

the adult education programme will be taken up in mission mode.

“In March, 3.95 lakh people were tested under the Ullas programme, and 90.12% passed. The State must rise from the bottom to become one of India’s top three literate States within three

years,” he asserted.

Director of Intermediate Education Kritika Shukla raised concern that 109 of 247 sanctioned posts in the adult education department remain vacant. She recommended recruiting only motivated

candidates from the school education system.

Reviewing skill development, he directed officials to align training with industry demand, upgrade the Skill App, and enhance the APSSDC Skill Portal with data on training, certification,

job creation, vacancies, and industry linkages. APSSDC CEO Ganesh Kumar informed that 6.83 lakh youths registered on the portal this year, with 6.45 lakh trained and 77,703 got placements.

Lokesh asserted timely operationalisation of 125 autism centres sanctioned for the State, urging the appointment of experts to support affected families. He also instructed that school kits

be distributed promptly to students under the Samagra Shiksha Project.

In higher education, Lokesh stressed the need for skill training before graduation, and directed APSCHE Chairman K Madhu Murthy to expedite filling of vacant Vice-Chancellor posts. Madhu

Murthy said search committee recommendations will be sent to universities by the end of the month.

Lokesh proposed a unified higher education law for the State with governance bodies like Governing Board, Executive Committee, and Academic Council. The meeting reviewed entrance

examinations like AP EAPCET, LAWCET, and PGCET, which are now aligned with the academic calendar.