The State government proposed to set up cluster schools with all facilities on an experimental basis and not with an intention to close down the existing government schools, said Human Resources Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao. Cluster schools were conceived in line with the government’s objective to develop the State into a knowledge society and hub. Cluster schools with all infrastructure facilities, quality faculty, science and computer labs, would come up in each mandal and transport facility would be provided to transport children up to a distance of eight km, he said during Question Hour in the Assembly on Friday.
Leader of Opposition Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy said so far the policy was to open schools closer to homes for the convenience of children. If transport facility was not available for some reason, it would only push up the drop-out rate defeating the very objective of Right to Education. He said government should first focus on upgrading facilities in all the existing schools. When model schools were already functioning, where was the need for cluster schools, he said.
YSRC members Srikant Reddy and G. Eswari said there were concerns that cluster schools would result in closing down schools in remote areas and it also created insecurity among teachers.
Replying to another question about vacant posts in Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, he said government would only sanction posts and it was for the respective Vice-Chancellors to fill them. He said government was contemplating a Recruitment Board for recruitment of quality faculty in universities on the lines of APPSC.
Cluster schools are conceived in line with the government’s objective to develop the State into a knowledge society and hub.
Ganta Srinivasa Rao
Minister for HRD
