‘School Theek Karo’ Movement Brings Government Schools Into National Focus
A renewed debate over the lack of basic infrastructure in government schools and the difficulties faced by students has emerged across India. The ‘School Theek Karo’ movement, launched by Abhijit Deepke, founder of the Kakroze Janata Party, from Santuk Pimpri village in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district, has once again brought the issue into the national spotlight.
As part of the movement, Deepke has announced plans to create a checklist covering basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets, electricity, roads and classrooms in government schools and collect information from across the country. His remarks that thousands of government schools have reportedly shut down across India over the past decade have also triggered discussion. At the same time, he has called for restrictions on excessive fees charged by private schools.
Andhra Pradesh’s ‘Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu’ in Focus
Against this backdrop, political and educational circles are revisiting the education reforms implemented by the previous YSR Congress Party government in Andhra Pradesh. Particular attention is being drawn to ‘Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu’, a programme aimed at improving infrastructure in government schools.
After coming to power in 2019, the YSRCP government stated that it was giving special priority to the education sector and introduced several initiatives. Through ‘Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu’, the government sought to improve drinking water facilities, toilets, electricity, fans, furniture, compound walls, painting and digital infrastructure in government schools.
The programme aimed to transform government schools into more modern learning environments and provide children from poor and middle-class families with better educational facilities.
Educational Kits and Financial Support for Students
To reduce the financial burden on students, the government implemented ‘Jagananna Vidya Kanuka’, under which students were provided uniforms, shoes, socks, belts, textbooks and notebooks.
For higher education, ‘Jagananna Vidya Deevena’ was introduced to reduce the burden of tuition fees for eligible students, while ‘Jagananna Vasathi Deevena’ was aimed at supporting accommodation and food expenses.
Other initiatives included ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’, which provided financial assistance to eligible mothers, and ‘Jagananna Gorumudda’, which focused on providing nutritious meals to school students.
Under the ‘Swechha’ programme, measures were also taken to provide sanitary napkins to girl students. The government additionally introduced ‘Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena’ to provide financial assistance to meritorious students seeking higher education abroad.
Focus on Digital and Technology-Based Education
The previous government also sought to introduce changes in teaching and learning methods. Government schools were moved towards English-medium education, with bilingual textbooks, digital content, smart TVs, interactive flat panels and tablets being introduced.
Providing tablets to eighth-grade students was another step aimed at promoting digital learning and improving students’ access to technology.
CBSE and International Education Initiatives
With the objective of improving academic standards in government schools, the previous government also introduced the CBSE curriculum in selected government schools and initiated efforts to explore the International Baccalaureate (IB) system.
The stated objective was to prepare students not merely for examinations but also for higher levels of national and international competition.
Government School Infrastructure Becomes a National Debate
As movements such as ‘School Theek Karo’ once again bring the condition of government schools into the national debate, several observers are pointing to initiatives such as ‘Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu’ implemented earlier in Andhra Pradesh.
The issues of school infrastructure, equal educational opportunities and quality education are closely connected to the country’s future. Supporters of the previous Andhra Pradesh government argue that the reforms undertaken during the YSRCP regime represented an effort to strengthen government education and improve the learning environment for students.
Questions Over Development Priorities
Deepke’s question about why rural government schools should lack basic facilities while large public infrastructure projects and major constructions receive attention has also become a topic of discussion.
The argument that genuine development is possible only when children of poor families, farmers and workers receive equal access to quality education has gained renewed relevance through the movement.
‘Nadu-Nedu’ Returns to the Political and Education Debate
At a time when a new movement is drawing attention to the infrastructure of government schools across India, the earlier efforts in Andhra Pradesh to transform government schools through ‘Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu’ are once again being discussed.
The developments have renewed the debate over how governments can strengthen public education, improve school infrastructure and ensure equal opportunities for students. Supporters of the previous YSRCP government contend that the initiatives launched during the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration reflected a forward-looking approach towards education and students’ future.
