Andhra Pradesh Government Introduces School Rating System to Elevate Education Standards

Amaravathi, Andhra Pradesh – March 22, 2025
In a significant move to address the declining academic standards in Andhra Pradesh’s government schools, the state’s Minister for Human Resources Development (HRD), IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, has announced the introduction of a comprehensive school rating system. This initiative, unveiled during a recent legislative council session in Vijayawada, aims to improve educational quality, enhance accountability, and restore public confidence in the state’s public education system. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over plummeting student enrollment, subpar learning outcomes, and controversial policies enacted by the previous government.

A Troubled Legacy: The Decline of Andhra Pradesh’s Schools

The state’s education sector has faced mounting criticism in recent years, particularly under the tenure of the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government. According to Minister Lokesh, academic standards have “plunged deeply” due to what he described as “imprudent decisions” by the former administration. One such decision was Government Order (G.O.) 117, a policy that restructured schools by mapping Classes III, IV, and V from primary schools to upper primary and high schools. This move, intended to rationalize resources, instead led to widespread disruption.

Lokesh highlighted staggering statistics to underscore the crisis: between 2014 and 2024, the percentage of eighth-grade students able to read second-grade Telugu books dropped from 80% to 53%. Additionally, student enrollment in government schools and junior colleges plummeted by 12 lakh, bringing the total strength down to 33.4 lakh. The number of schools with fewer than 10 students has quadrupled since 2021-22, rising from 1,215 to 5,312, while those with fewer than 20 students surged from 5,520 to 14,052. Critics, including Lokesh, attribute this exodus to private schools to G.O. 117, which ignored local needs and increased teacher workloads, prompting parents to seek alternatives.

The New Rating System: A Path to Reform

The Andhra Pradesh government, now led by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is taking decisive steps to reverse this decline. Central to this effort is the introduction of a school rating system, designed to evaluate institutions based on academic performance, infrastructure, teacher effectiveness, and student outcomes. “We are making every effort to extend quality education to students,” Lokesh stated, emphasizing the NDA’s commitment to revitalizing the sector.

The rating system will be complemented by the “Model Primary School” concept, which includes appointing one teacher per class in schools with over 60 students. This initiative aims to reduce overcrowding and ensure personalized attention for students. Additionally, an “excellent progress card” has been designed to foster interaction among teachers, parents, and students, promoting transparency and engagement.

The government also plans to repeal G.O. 117 and introduce an alternative framework for the 2025-26 academic year. Lokesh has assured stakeholders that this shift will involve consultations with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and school management committees to address local concerns effectively.

Financial Commitment and Broader Reforms

The state’s dedication to education is reflected in its budget allocations. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, Andhra Pradesh has allocated ₹31,805 crore for school education and ₹2,506 crore for higher education, totaling ₹34,311 crore—an increase of ₹2,076 crore over the previous year. A notable highlight is the decision to provide free electricity to all government schools, a move Lokesh hailed as “revolutionary.” This policy is expected to alleviate financial pressures on local bodies and allow schools to redirect resources toward improving facilities and teaching quality.

Beyond the rating system, the government is pursuing broader reforms. In January 2025, Lokesh instructed officials to revamp the curriculum from kindergarten to postgraduate levels, aiming to reduce the physical burden of textbooks while enhancing content quality. Plans are also underway to replace traditional OMR sheets with a digital assessment system, aligning with technological advancements in education.

Political Backlash and Debate

The announcement has not been without controversy. During the legislative council session, YSRCP MLC Ravindra Babu accused the NDA government of “saffronising” the education system, alleging that the central BJP-led government was injecting religious elements—such as references to Hindu gods—into the syllabus. Former Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, now the Leader of the Opposition in the council, suggested expunging Babu’s remarks from the records if deemed inaccurate, a proposal Lokesh welcomed.

In response, Lokesh criticized the YSRCP’s legacy, pointing to questionable expenditures like ₹5 crore on International Baccalaureate (IB) reports and ₹60 crore on TOEFL-related initiatives, with little evidence of tangible benefits. He argued that the new rating system and associated reforms would prioritize measurable outcomes over political gimmicks.

A National Model in the Making?

The Andhra Pradesh School Education Director, V. Vijay Rama Raju, has expressed optimism about the state’s trajectory. In February 2025, he called for collective efforts to transform Andhra Pradesh’s education system into a model for the nation, emphasizing proper fund utilization and student support. With the rating system set to roll out in the coming months, the state aims to set a benchmark for accountability and excellence.

As the 2025-26 academic year approaches, all eyes are on Andhra Pradesh to see if these ambitious reforms can halt the decline and restore its government schools to their former glory. For now, the introduction of the school rating system signals a bold step forward—one that could redefine public education in the state and beyond.