IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday announced that 200 government schools that are being run in thatched houses and temporary sheds in the tribal pockets in Andhra Pradesh would get permanent buildings within a year.

Addressing the gathering during the Fourth Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting at the Zilla Parishad High School and Junior College here in Polavaram district, Mr. Lokesh claimed that a whopping 1.10 lakh students have returned from private schools and enrolled in government schools in the past two years.

Referring to the success of the LEAP (Learning Excellence in Andhra Pradesh) programme, Mr. Lokesh announced that a LEAP school would be established in every Assembly constituency. At present, only one LEAP school is functioning in Nidamarru in the Mangalagiri Assembly constituency.

'Stay away from drugs'

The Education Minister appealed to the students to keep away from drugs as they spoil their careers and lives. He said that the State government decided not to publish photographs of any political leader in textbooks to prevent political interference in schools. Instead, value-based lessons have been added to the curriculum in the government textbooks, he said.

Mr. Lokesh appealed to teachers to maintain the academic standards and quality that were reflected in the SSC and Intermediate results of the previous academic year.

Published - July 24, 2026 08:51 pm IST