Progressive Democratic Front MLC K.S. Lakshman Rao speaking at a conference organised by the UTF in Vijayawada on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI
Progressive Democratic Front (PDF) MLC K. S. Lakshman Rao on Sunday said the government should exercise due diligence while introducing reforms in the primary education sector.
Speaking at a State conference organised by members of the A.P. United Teachers’ Federation (UTF), as part of their decision to conduct similar meetings across the State, Mr. Lakshman Rao said nobody was opposed to reforms in the primary education system.
“But there is disagreement on certain components between us and the government,” he said.
Mr. Lakshman Rao said as per the government decision to establish a model primary school in every panchayat, 13,325 such schools would have to be set up with five classrooms and five teachers, besides all other facilities for each institution.
Should there be budget constraint, the government should establish them in a phased manner. But the move should not negatively impact the existing schools, he cautioned, demanding that the upper primary schools, with a strength of above 60 students, should either be upgraded into high schools or be allowed to continue in their present form.
He also demanded reduction of workload on teachers, especially on account of multiple apps.
UTF State president N. Venkateswarlu said upper primary schools that had a strength of above 60 students in Classes 6, 7 and 8, should be upgraded into high schools, and those with a student strength of below 60 should be allowed to continue. School Assistants should be appointed to teach students of Classes 6, 7 and 8 in the upper primary schools.
With regard to high schools, he said, irrespective of their strength, headmasters and physical education teachers should be appointed to every high school, parallel mediums should be implemented and Plus-2 high schools should be allowed to continue.
Federation’s State general secretary K.S.S. Prasad said inordinate delay in payment of financial dues to the government employees and teachers was a cause for concern.
PRC, IR sought
He demanded immediate steps for constitution of the 12th Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and announcement of 29% Interim Relief. He said pending DA should be released immediately and government should announce the route map for payment of other arrears.
Implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for employees who were appointed before September 1, 2004, and appointments on compassionate grounds of the kin of the deceased employees were his other demands.
Published – March 16, 2025 08:50 pm IST
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