Khammam: Over the past 19 months, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy announced an allocation of Rs 497 crore for enhancing education infrastructure in the Palair Assembly area.
During his visit to Tirumalayapalem and Nelakondapalli, the Minister took part in various public welfare activities. He distributed bicycles to girl students from Zilla Parishad High Schools in Pindiprolu and Bodulabanda. The PSR Trust organized these events, and District Collector Anudeep Durishetty assisted in Pindiprolu.
The purpose of this initiative is to reduce dropout rates among girls, especially in rural areas where school access is difficult. Bicycles were given last year to girls in classes 8 to 10, and now the program includes new Class 8 students.
On the day of the visit, 92 bicycles were given in Tirumalayapalem and 81 in Nelakondapalli. Minister Ponguleti emphasized education as a fundamental right for all children, regardless of their financial status. He stressed the government’s commitment to improving public education, which had been overlooked in the past.
The Minister discussed significant ongoing education projects in Palair, such as a JNTU Engineering College, Young India Integrated Gurukul Schools, a new ITI center with a hostel in Tirumalayapalem, and the Kusumanchi Junior College. He encouraged teachers, headmasters, and staff to actively reduce dropouts and boost government school enrollment. He also motivated students to appreciate their parents’ efforts and excel academically.
During the event, Durishetty praised the PSR Trust’s efforts, noting that studies indicate rising dropout rates from Class 8, especially among girls, due to long travel distances to schools. He hoped that providing bicycles would effectively tackle this problem.
Education officials were instructed to promptly distribute pending uniforms, workbooks, and textbooks, which were available from the academic year’s start. He mentioned the introduction of AI labs in schools to improve foundational learning and urged institutions needing extra support to submit development proposals.
Later, the Minister checked the kitchen shed and mid-day meal quality at the Pindiprolu ZPHS school, highlighting the need for nutritious meals according to the set menu. He also encouraged sports and physical education participation. At Bodulabanda, Minister Ponguleti handed out cheques to 25 Kalyana Lakshmi scheme beneficiaries and planted a sapling at the school as part of the event.
