Amaravati, June 18: Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh has directed officials to extend the benefits of the Thalliki Vandanam Scheme to orphan children. The decision aims to ensure that orphan students also receive financial support for their education. The announcement came during a review meeting with Education Department officials on Thursday.
Orphan Children to Get ₹15,000 Every Year
Under the Thalliki Vandanam Scheme, eligible students receive ₹15,000 annually for educational expenses. Lokesh instructed officials to include orphan children under the scheme. He also suggested that District Collectors oversee the process where parents or legal guardians are not available. Officials have been asked to explore ways to directly transfer the financial assistance into the bank accounts of orphan students.
Andhra Pradesh Tops PM-SHRI Fund Utilisation
During the review meeting, Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the top-performing state in the country in the utilisation of PM-SHRI funds. He congratulated Education Department officials for effectively using the funds to improve school infrastructure and facilities.
Major School Infrastructure Upgrade
The minister ordered the construction of 844 smart kitchens in government educational institutions. He also directed officials to install 53,180 bunk beds in 430 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs). The initiative is expected to benefit more than 1.06 lakh girl students studying in residential schools. Similar facilities will also be provided in AP Residential Schools and colleges.
Student Kits and Digital Learning
Lokesh instructed officials to complete the distribution of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra Kits before the upcoming Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting. The government also plans to distribute kits to more than 2.03 lakh students studying in government junior colleges. To strengthen digital education, government high schools will receive computer laboratories equipped with Chromebooks.
Focus on Attendance and Learning
The minister stressed the need to maintain 95 percent student attendance across schools. He directed officials to prepare special plans for districts with lower attendance levels. Lokesh also called for special classes and remedial coaching in Telugu, Mathematics, and Science to improve learning outcomes.
Telugu Academy Books to Reach More Students
In another important decision, Telugu Academy books will soon be available on online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart. The move aims to make educational materials more accessible to students and competitive exam aspirants. The latest decisions reflect the government’s focus on improving education, strengthening school infrastructure, and expanding welfare support to vulnerable students across Andhra Pradesh.