Introduction: Andhra’s Education Promise
In September 2025, the Government of Andhra Pradesh announced an ambitious mission — to achieve full enrolment across 42,000 government schools. On paper, it sounds like a policy goal. In reality, it is a social movement that touches millions of children, parents, and teachers. The aim is not just to fill classrooms but to transform the state into a place where no child is left outside the school gates.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy called it “a moral duty to ensure that every child finds a seat in school and a reason to stay there.” The initiative, though, is more than a political announcement. It carries with it the dreams of children in villages, the struggles of parents who want a better life for their kids, and the challenges of teachers who balance overcrowded classrooms with limited res
The Scale of the Challenge
Andhra Pradesh has made impressive strides in literacy over the last two decades, yet dropout rates remain a pressing concern. In rural belts, many children quit school before completing Class 8. Economic hardship, migration for seasonal work, and lack of infrastructure contribute to the problem.
In a small tribal hamlet in Visakhapatnam district, classrooms often double as community halls because there aren’t enough dedicated spaces. In coastal fishing villages, children sometimes skip classes during the fishing season to help their families. While enrolment numbers may look strong at the primary level, retention beyond middle school is the real battle.
The government’s mission therefore goes beyond statistics — it is about breaking barriers of poverty, geography, and social prejudice that still deny many children their right to education.
Faces Behind the Numbers
Every statistic has a face, and every face a story. Take Anjali, a 12-year-old from a tribal community in Araku. For years, she walked four kilometers each way to reach the nearest school. Some days she skipped classes because the walk felt endless. With a new push for enrolment, her village recently received better transport facilities, and she now attends school daily.
Or consider Ravi, the son of a fisherman in Machilipatnam. His mornings begin before dawn, helping his father at the coast. Until recently, he missed classes frequently. Under the new scheme, he has been given free remedial sessions in the evenings, allowing him to continue his studies without abandoning his family’s livelihood.
Then there is Lakshmi, a first-generation learner from a Dalit family in Guntur. Her mother once feared sending her to school because of safety concerns and financial strain. The Amma Vodi scheme — which provides direct financial support to mothers for their children’s schooling — changed that equation. Lakshmi not only goes to school but dreams of becoming a nurse.
These stories remind us that behind government targets are human lives being reshaped.
Teachers and Parents: The Other Stakeholders
Teachers are the backbone of this mission, yet they face heavy burdens. Many government schools are short of staff, forcing teachers to handle multiple subjects and even non-teaching tasks like surveys and election duties. Despite these pressures, countless teachers show remarkable commitment. A teacher in Nellore recently said, “If my students stop coming, I go to their homes. Education is a right, but sometimes children need reminding.”
Parents, meanwhile, live at the crossroads of aspiration and doubt. While they wish for their children to study, poverty often pulls them in the opposite direction. Agricultural labourers, construction workers, and migrant families sometimes view schooling as a luxury. The government’s challenge is to convince parents that education is an investment, not a burden.
Policy and Innovation
The enrolment drive ties closely with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes universal access and equity. Andhra Pradesh has added its own layers:
- Amma Vodi scheme: financial aid to mothers for children’s schooling.
- Midday Meal Plus: improved nutrition, with eggs and milk included.
- Digital classrooms: smart TVs and tablets introduced in select schools.
- School Infrastructure Renovation: under Nadu-Nedu programme, many schools are being rebuilt with better toilets, furniture, and libraries.
However, challenges persist. In remote regions, internet connectivity is poor. Many children still lack access to devices. For these students, innovation has to be low-tech and community-driven, such as after-school learning circles run by local volunteers.
The Road Ahead
The road to full enrolment is paved with both hope and hurdles. The state must fight entrenched social attitudes, provide adequate teacher training, and ensure that children who enrol actually stay and learn. Full enrolment is not just about filling registers — it is about nurturing curiosity, ensuring safety, and offering pathways to higher education and jobs.
If Andhra Pradesh succeeds, it could serve as a model for other Indian states still battling dropout rates. More importantly, it could inspire a generation of children who, like Lakshmi, can look beyond survival and imagine futures filled with possibilities.
As one parent from Anantapur put it: “We never went to school. If my daughter does, maybe her life will be different. Maybe ours too.”
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