Amma Vodi leads to spurt in government school admissions

Guntur: The government schools in the State are witnessing a spurt in admissions during this academic year, thanks to the Amma Vodi Scheme announced by the Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. The district alone registered more than 1,10,000 fresh admissions in 3,667 government schools.

Similarly, admissions increased in Municipal Corporation schools and in other schools in the municipalities the admissions crossed 50,000. The district schools witnessed over 1.6 lakh new admissions so far. Over 9 lakh new admissions registered in the State after the announcement of Amma Vodi scheme, it is learnt.

The government schools started English Medium Classes to attract the students parallel to corporate schools. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy directed to start English Medium classes in all the government schools in the State and assured that he would strengthen the government schools and develop the infrastructure.

MLAs and other people's representatives are recommending some students for admissions in the schools having advanced foundation courses. GMC started advanced foundation courses for IIT in the two GMC schools in Guntur city. Some municipal schools requesting the students not to get recommendation letters for admissions as the seats are already filled.

Many schools are finding it difficult to accommodate the students, who come for admissions. The district officials breaking their heads on how to manage the situation with the limited resources. Amma Vodi scheme promises Rs 15,000 for every child from this academic year. The poor parents are feeling that Rs 15,000 is enough to meet education expenses of their wards and admitting their children in the schools.

Some government schools' teachers are saying they could not accommodate more students as they have no adequate infrastructure. Almost all the government schools placed additional indents for textbooks and uniforms due to sudden increase in students' numbers in classes. Some schools have set up flexis saying no admissions in the school because they have no sufficient infrastructure in classrooms. According to norms, the government has no right to reject admissions.

Guntur District Education Officer R S Ganga Bhavani said "So far, 1.1 lakh admissions registered during this academic year. Admissions will continue in the government schools as we have sufficient teachers and infrastructure. The government will give appointment letters to merit candidates in the DSC and develop infrastructure facilities in schools."

ULB Coordinator B Madan Kumar said "50 per cent of admissions increased in GMC schools due to Amma Vodi scheme. We have 97 schools and two advanced foundation courses centres. We are getting recommendation letters from MLAs for admission into advanced foundation courses centres. So far, over 4,000 students joined in GMC schools. We have placed additional indents for textbooks and uniforms for distribution."

Tenali Municipal Commissioner S Venkata Krishna said, "We have registered 22 per cent new admissions after conducting special campaign for increasing admissions. We have set up no admissions boards at Sri Ravi Sambaiah Municipal Boys High School. ln spite of it, we are accepting new admissions. We have 975 students in the Sri Ravi Sambaiah Municipal Boys School in Tenali. We have started advanced foundation courses from this academic year."