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New Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra HRD Min Lokesh honours tribal teacher for transforming government school
VIJAYAWADA: HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday felicitated M Kalyani Kumari, a government teacher from a remote tribal hamlet in Kurnool district, with the title of Shining Teacher in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to public education. The Minister invited Kumari and her family to his residence in Undavalli and praised her efforts in transforming a neglected school into a model learning centre. Kalyani Kumari, posted at JM Thanda Mandal Parishad Single Teacher Primary School since 2017, assumed charge when the school had just 14 students, only two of whom attended regularly. With closure imminent, she used personal funds to purchase learning materials and conducted door-to-door visits to encourage enrolment. Her efforts led to a surge in admissions—by the 2020-21 academic year, the strength grew to 53, and students earned admission to Gurukuls and Navodaya schools. Currently, 43 students are enrolled. Lokesh listened keenly to her teaching practices. 'It is historic to achieve this as a single teacher. We have much to learn from you,' he said. Lokesh highlighted the government's commitment to school reforms, noting that 9,600 schools now have a teacher for each class. Kumari shared her initiatives, including a weekly 'Star of the Week' award, hygiene promotion under Dirghayushman Bhava, and regular distribution of learning kits through Maa Toli Adugu. She ensures discipline through daily homework, parent engagement, and attendance protocols. Lokesh said such best practices would shape future education policy. 'Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan are committed to rebuilding trust in public education,' he said. 'Teachers like Kalyani Kumari are the torchbearers of change,' he added.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Teacher felicitated for outstanding services
Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Nara Lokesh on Wednesday felicitated M. Kalyani Kumari, a teacher from a remote tribal village in Pathikonda mandal of Kurnool district, for her outstanding services. Recognising her sincere contribution towards improving the student enrolment from 14 to 53 in a single-teacher school at J.M. Thanda of Pathikonda mandal in Kurnool district, where Ms. Kalyani joined in 2017, Mr. Lokesh praised the former and said teachers like her would help the government achieve its goal of strengthening the public education system. The Minister informed that when Ms. Kalyani joined the school, only two of the 14 enrolled students were attending classes regularly, resulting in the authorities concerned to consider closing the school. However, she invested personal interest and also funds to provide study materials, encouraging the students to pursue education. He said that her efforts bore fruits and the student strength rose to 53 by 2020-21 academic year. Of them, 23 students qualified for Gurukul schools and one secured admission in Navodaya. The school currently has 43 students. Sharing her experience, Ms. Kalyani said that even while doing her bit to improve the students' performance, she explained to their parents that quality education is possible in government schools and introduced initiatives like 'Star of the Week', rewarding students every Monday based on parameters like homework, attendance, discipline, prayer, handwriting, hygiene and uniform. To emphasise on personal hygiene, she gifted soaps to the students on their birthdays. Appreciating the government initiative of conducting mega parent-teacher meetings, she said appointing one more teacher in single-teacher schools would help improve outcomes. Taking note of her suggestion, the Minister informed that efforts were on to improve standards in the 9,600 single-teacher schools in the State.
