Andhra Pradesh Education, IT, and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh announced that the government is seriously considering setting up a new university in Chittoor district. Speaking during the Question Hour on the fifth day of the Assembly session, Lokesh said that Chittoor MLA Gurajala Jaganmohan Rao had already written a letter to the government last November requesting a university for the district.
The Minister explained that after the division of the erstwhile Chittoor district, two universities are already functioning in the region — Dravidian University in the government sector and Apollo University in the private sector. However, he clarified that Dravidian University is language-specific. Therefore, the government is planning to establish a full-fledged university in Chittoor to meet the educational needs of the district.
During the session, Tuni MLA Yanamala Divya requested that the high school at Ravikampadu in Thondangi mandal be upgraded into a junior college. Responding to this, Lokesh criticized the previous government for weakening the government junior colleges through the “High School Plus” system, which left colleges without proper subject teachers.
Lokesh said that after the new government came to power, several reforms were introduced. Admissions in government junior colleges have improved by 40 percent. Mid-day meals are now being provided for Intermediate students, and competitive exam material as well as study resources for board exams are being supplied.
The Minister assured that government junior colleges will be developed on par with private institutions. He stressed that it is the government’s aim to have one junior college in every mandal across Andhra Pradesh. On MLA Divya’s request, he said details will be collected and a decision will be taken soon. Lokesh also promised that this goal will be achieved within the next two years.
With these initiatives, the government is aiming to strengthen higher education in the state by expanding both universities and junior colleges, ensuring better opportunities for students in Chittoor and other districts.