The Andhra Pradesh education department has taken a significant step by renaming several welfare schemes aimed at supporting students in the state. These schemes, previously bearing the name of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, have now been rechristened after prominent figures in the field of education. The decision was made by the state’s ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, which aims to remove political influence from educational institutions and make them centers of learning.
The TDP government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, has been vocal in its criticism of the previous YSRCP government’s handling of the education sector. Nara Lokesh, the state’s IT, Electronics, and Human Resource Development Minister, has accused the YSRCP, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, of damaging the education system. He has pledged to rectify the situation under the TDP’s governance.
The new names chosen for the schemes reflect a focus on honoring education pioneers and creating a learning environment free from political interference. ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi,’ a scheme providing financial assistance to mothers for their children’s education, has been renamed ‘Talliki Vandanam.’ ‘Jagananna Vidya Kanuka,’ which provided educational kits including bags, books, and other materials, is now known as ‘Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidya Mitra’.
The mid-day meal program for public school students, previously called ‘Jagananna Gorumudda,’ has been retitled ‘Dokka Seethamma Madhyahana Badi Bojanam.’ ‘Mana Badi Nadu Nedu,’ a program focused on school renovation, has been renamed ‘Mana Badi Mana Bhavishyaktu.’ ‘Sweccha,’ a scheme offering free sanitary napkins to female students, is now called ‘Balika Raksha.’ Finally, ‘Jagananna Animutyalu,’ which financially rewarded top-performing students in government schools, has been renamed ‘Abdul Kalam Prathiba Puraskaram.’
The renaming of these welfare schemes represents a shift in the Andhra Pradesh government’s approach to education. By replacing the names associated with the previous regime with those of respected figures in education, the TDP government aims to create a more inclusive and politically neutral environment for students in the state. The emphasis on learning and academic excellence aligns with the government’s vision of nurturing a future generation of knowledgeable and skilled individuals.
