Andhra Pradesh government has proposed to transform the Social Welfare Residential schools by revamping their academic curriculum and standards on par with the corporate schools besides equipping them with computer labs.
Disclosing this Social Welfare Minister Ravela Kishore Babu said here on Thursday that as a first step, a two-day workshop was organised for the principals and zonal convenors of 156 residential schools at APARD on new teaching methodologies, how to train and encourage Dalit students for their all-round development with emphasis on academic and extra-curricular activities.
A decision was also taken to provide computer laboratories, instructors and mini auditoria in all the 177 social welfare residential schools to provide quality education to Dalit students on par with students of privileged sections. At present only 30 residential schools have computer labs. The proposals to cost about Rs.10 crore would be submitted at the SC Sub-Plan nodal agency meeting on December 1.
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On the Chief Minister’s directive to transform social welfare hostels into residential schools in phased manner, he said an action plan was under preparation. While the present sanctioned strength of residential school is 640, it will be increased to 1,000 so that students of 10 hostels could be accommodated in one residential school over next five years. The shifting of students from hostel to residential school would begin from next academic year, he added.
The government was also looking at setting up two or three cluster schools in every mandal headquarters with transport facility to enable students of SC, ST, BC and others from rural areas to study in them as day scholars. A model cluster school would first come up at Kuppam and about 10 acres of land was acquired, he said.