‘Full literacy target set for Sep 2027’

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Education, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh has directed officials to work in a coordinated, mission-mode effort to achieve 100 per cent literacy across the state by September 2027, saying the government’s Akshara Andhra programme has been delivering encouraging results. Lokesh held a review meeting with senior officials from the School Education and Intermediate Education departments at his Undavalli residence.

During the meeting, officials informed the Minister that Andhra Pradesh’s literacy rate stood at just 72.6 per cent in 2024, among the lowest in the country. However, as a result of measures undertaken by the government over the past year, around 2.5 million people have become literate. According to officials, the latest adult education examination results released by the Centre showed a 10 percentage-point improvement in the state’s literacy rate, taking it to 82.1 per cent.

Lokesh directed officials to intensify efforts to achieve complete literacy by September 2027. Officials said plans had been prepared to make another 2.5 million people literate by March 2027, followed by the remaining 2.7 million by September 2027. The program is being implemented through coordination among 11 government departments. The Minister also called for legislators and local elected representatives to be actively involved in Akshara Andhra and urged the authorities to undertake a large-scale public awareness campaign.

Lokesh instructed schools to call parents if a student remains absent for three consecutive days and counsel them on the importance of regular attendance. Lokesh congratulated teachers and officials on the successful conduct of cluster complex meetings across the state recently. Discussions were held on conducting the special TET for in-service teachers, which is mandatory in accordance with Supreme Court directions.

School Education Director Tameem Ansaria said arrangements had been made to honour 192 outstanding teachers in Vijayawada on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. Lokesh said there would be no compromise on the quality of the mid-day meal programme and urged teachers and parents to provide feedback through the LEAP app. The Minister directed officials to take steps to establish autism centres at 125 locations across the state.