Amaravati, Dec 15 (NationPress) - The Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education and IT, Nara Lokesh, met with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi on Monday. During their discussion, he requested Rs 4,400 crore in financial support under the STARS Project as part of the Samagra Shiksha reforms, along with an additional Rs 1,270 crore for the financial year 2025-26.

Minister Lokesh urged the Union Minister to grant approval for the establishment of 11 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and to initiate the setup and operationalization of 12 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) recently designated for Andhra Pradesh.

He reiterated his request for Rs 4,400 crore in funds under the STARS Project, as part of the Samagra Shiksha reforms, and sought approval for the Rs 1,270 crore in additional funding proposed by the state for 2025-26.

Lokesh further requested authorization to establish 155 Smart Kitchens on a pilot basis under the PM POSHAN scheme throughout the state.

During the meeting, Lokesh informed the Union Minister about the current initiatives implemented by the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh aimed at enhancing learning outcomes across all educational levels. He sought the Centre's support in bolstering educational standards throughout the state.

He highlighted the launch of the Guaranteed Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) programme, which focuses on ensuring that primary school students acquire essential reading and numeracy skills, as per an official release.

Moreover, Lokesh noted that the state government has introduced a clicker-based Interactive Classroom Response System in government schools to boost student engagement and improve learning results.

To instill constitutional values in students from an early age, the government organized a student mock assembly, called ‘Andhra Pradesh School Legislature’, on Constitution Day.

Additionally, the state has published the Children’s Constitution of India in book form.

The Minister also announced that Andhra Pradesh has inaugurated the country’s first government-managed Central Smart Kitchen in Kadapa, enhancing the mid-day meal system while ensuring efficiency, quality, and transparency.

During the meeting, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commended the efforts made by the state government to elevate educational standards.

Minister Lokesh invited Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to inaugurate the Model Autism Support Centre established in Chinakakani in Guntur district, which has been developed with the support of the Government of India.

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of State Pemmassani Chandra Sekhar, along with other Members of Parliament, were present during the meeting alongside Minister Lokesh.