Vijayawada, December 17, 2021: The state government’s prestigious project ‘Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu’(Our School Now- Then) is getting applause across the country. Many states which had focused on strengthening government schools are now following in the footsteps of AP and studying various innovative ideas and reforms brought in by the government. Telangana, Odisha and Haryana are studying the successful practices in Nadu-Nedu scheme and eyeing to implement it in their states.
Despite having huge campuses and playgrounds, government schools in the state had failed to attract students. Despite unhealthy competition and high fees, parents preferred admission to corporate schools. Many government high schools were on the verge of closure till 2019.
Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, as promised in his padayatra, announced ‘Nadu- Nedu’ scheme which mainly aims in giving new shape to the schools.
Andhra Pradesh School Education Reforms and Monitoring Commissioner (APSERMC) was appointed to regulate private schools and make suggestions to develop government schools. At the same time the government focused on regulating corporate schools.
The chief minister launched ‘Mana Badi Naadu Nedu’ scheme on 14 November 2019. As many as 15,715 schools were renovated under the first phase of Nadu Nedu and dedicated to the nation on 16 August 2021.
The government spent around Rs 3,669 crore on modernisation of schools in the first phase.
The scheme was a huge success and admissions in government schools increased by around 80 per cent. Many government schools are now conducting interviews for admissions and MLAs and ministers were requested to give recommendation letters.
Following the success of the scheme, the Telangana government announced a similar scheme in July 2021. Teams from Odisha and Assam visited Andhra Pradesh and conducted field visits to study the merits and demerits of the scheme according to the reports published in timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Now Haryana passed an ordinance regulating the fees collected by corporate and private schools and colleges.
Education minister Adimulapu Suresh said,” the government is committed to improve the quality of education. Nadu-Nedu, fee regulation, adopting CBSE in government schools and other measures are giving good results. Many states in India are trying to incorporate our reforms and follow our footsteps.”
