3000 Concept Schools in two years for school reforms: AP CM

Hyderabad, Jan 28 (UNI) After Jalayagnam', 'Bhu Yagnam' and ''INDIRAMMA' programmes, the Andhra Pradesh Government is now contemplating Vidya Yagnam by establishing 3000 Concept Schools in the next two years under public-private partnership.

The innovative exercise , 'VIDYA YAGNA', is to bring in several reforms for improving the standards of basic education in the State by establishing 'Concept Schools'. To begin with, the Government is mulling establishment of at least two such schools, mostly residential in each district to be located in rural areas under Public Private Partnership from the coming academic year.

It has been decided to introduce this concept from VI to XII standard. Ultimately it will be expanded with one school for every Mandal. The curriculum would be in CBSE syllabus.

These concept schools would be residential, co-education and English medium institutions. In the next two years, 3,000 Concept Schools should be established in the State, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekara Reddy decided at a meeting with the Chairman, APSCHE, K C Reddy and senior officials of School Education Department at camp office here today.

Under this concept, the Government was contemplating involvement of philanthropic organisations, Major revenue earning temples, Public Sector Undertakings both State and Central, charitable societies and academic institutions of standing to promote this initiative. Their participation, however, will be purely voluntary.

As part of its role, the Government would provide 20 to 25 acres of land free to each of the Institute and act as a facilitator to support the academic programmes, besides participating in curriculum design, content development, providing expert advice and training teachers, among others.

The Corporate and other bodies would provide for maintenance and management of the schools. The existing reservation system would continue and the fee structure which was being worked out for these residential schools would be subsidised by the Government for the benefit of SC, ST, BC and other weaker sections of the society.

Regarding finalisation of Management quota (20 per cent proposed in the meeting) and other issues like Regulatory body to oversee the establishment and functioning of schools, Dr Reddy directed to prepare a detailed project report at the earliest for finalisation.

UNI