Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s administration from 2019 to 2024 ushered in a comprehensive overhaul of Andhra Pradesh’s education system, placing government schools at the forefront to ensure equitable access and quality for underprivileged students, through flagship programs that blended infrastructure upgrades, pedagogical innovation, and robust welfare support to reverse decades of disparities and position AP as a national model for inclusive learning. With an investment exceeding ₹20,000 crore across initiatives, these reforms addressed dropout rates, enrolment gaps, and skill deficiencies, empowering millions from rural and marginalized backgrounds to compete globally.
Nadu-Nedu: Infrastructure Revolution for Government Schools
The cornerstone, Nadu-Nedu, launched in 2019, targeted the refurbishment of dilapidated public schools, completing Phase 1 for 15,715 institutions at ₹3,700 crore by incorporating 12 visible improvements: toilets, clean water, repairs, lighting/fans, furniture, green boards, painting, English labs, compound walls, kitchens, additional rooms, and digital interactive panels. Phase 2 extended to 21,654 new classrooms, transforming learning environments in remote villages and urban slums, significantly reducing dropout rates and boosting attendance among first-generation learners.
English-Medium Rollout and Curriculum Modernization
To bridge the public-private divide, Reddy mandated English-medium instruction from Class 1 with bilingual textbooks, integrating CBSE/IB elements for holistic curricula, while introducing TOEFL from Class 3, spoken English labs, and Oxford dictionaries for every child. Higher education saw expanded NAAC-accredited colleges and a gross enrolment ratio surge, with 4.6 lakh tablets distributed to Class 8 students loaded with Byju’s/edX content for digital learning, ensuring marginalized youth access world-class resources.
Student Welfare: Amma Vodi and Beyond for the Underprivileged
Welfare anchored reforms: Amma Vodi disbursed ₹15,000 annually to 45 lakh+ mothers for school attendance (₹19,617 Cr total), while Jagananna Vidya Deevena offered full fee reimbursements plus ₹20,000 yearly, Vasathi Deevena covered hostels/mess, and Gorumudda enhanced mid-day meals with eggs, milk, chikki for nutrition. These ensured no poor child dropped out, elevating government schools to compete with private ones.
