Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday, 25 July 2025, declared that children — once viewed as a financial burden — have become a source of income for families, citing the state government's 'Thalliki Vandanam' scheme that deposits ₹15,000 per school-going child directly into mothers' bank accounts. He made the remarks at a Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting held at a government high school in Rampachodavaram, Polavaram district.

What the Thalliki Vandanam Scheme Offers

Under the 'Thalliki Vandanam' scheme, the Andhra Pradesh government deposits ₹15,000 annually into the bank account of every mother for each school-going child, with no cap on the number of children. Naidu noted that mothers with more children are consequently receiving larger transfers. In aggregate, the government is disbursing ₹10,120 crore every year, covering 67 lakh children across the state.

Naidu acknowledged that the government is operating under financial constraints but asserted it remains committed to ensuring the scheme's benefits reach every eligible family without exception.

Shift from Private to Government Schools

The Chief Minister claimed that the coalition government has driven measurable improvements in the state's public education system. He cited a reversal of the long-running trend of families migrating to private schooling, stating that 1.10 lakh students have moved from private schools back to government institutions — a figure he described as evidence of renewed public confidence in state-run education.

Naidu also praised the performance of his son and state Education Minister Nara Lokesh, saying the visible transformation in the education sector had made him glad that Lokesh had taken on the role. He launched the 'Drugs Vaddu Bro' (Say No to Drugs) handbook prepared by the School Education Department and unveiled a web portal for school donors at the event.

Jobs, Tribal Students, and Presidential Inspiration

Addressing students directly, Naidu urged them to pursue education with passion rather than treating it as an obligation. 'Students should study with passion rather than viewing it as a burden. We are fostering development that will create jobs in major industries for those who dedicate themselves to their studies for five years,' he said.

He described children in tribal areas as 'gems in the rough,' arguing that access to opportunity could unlock extraordinary potential. He invoked President Droupadi Murmu as a symbol of national pride and an inspiration, particularly for students from tribal communities. Naidu also reiterated that he, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan were collectively working to fulfil their pledge of developing Andhra Pradesh.

Financial Legacy of Previous Government and Mega DSC Row

Naidu trained his sights on the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, alleging it had saddled the state with a debt of ₹10 lakh crore, borrowing at 14% interest and mortgaging government assets. 'We are redeeming government assets that had been mortgaged and taking measures to reduce the interest burden,' he said, conceding that restoring the state's fiscal health would take time.

Responding to YSRCP allegations of irregularities in teacher recruitment through the Mega DSC (District Selection Committee) process, Naidu said attempts were being made to tarnish the image of the recruitment drive and that such actions hurt the sentiments of newly appointed teachers.

Call for Shared Parental Responsibility

Naidu used the parent-teacher forum to call on fathers to share equally in the responsibility of their children's upbringing and education, urging them to attend parent-teacher meetings alongside mothers. He and Minister Lokesh interacted with children, parents, and teachers at the event and had lunch with students.

As Andhra Pradesh pushes to attract major industries and rebuild its fiscal position, the government's twin bet on welfare transfers and education reform will face scrutiny on whether outcomes — in learning levels and employment — match the scale of the investment.