The World Bank (WB) has extended an unconditional loan of $250 million to the Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT) project in recognition of the path-breaking reforms implemented by the State government, according to Special Chief Secretary (School Education) B. Rajasekhar.
As a result of the reforms initiated under the SALT project, Mr. Rajasekhar informed the media at the Secretariat that a paradigm shift had taken place in the way education was delivered, and that the outcome had been encouraging. In addition, the Nadu-Nedu program greatly enhanced the facilities in schools to provide an environment conducive to learning and teaching.
The SALT is the first project in the school education sector to be funded by the World Bank without any precondition.
Mr. Rajasekhar denied the media’s assertions that the World Bank had put restrictions on the distribution of financial aid.
He said that over ₹53,000 crores had been spent on schooling over the previous three years, with the majority of that amount—₹22,617 crores—going to Amma Vodi and the first phase of the Nadu-Nedu program.
There were 40,31,239 kids enrolled in government schools during the 2022–23 school year. Compared to the previous year, there were 86,119 fewer kids enrolled in public, private, and assisted schools overall.
Migrations and dropouts were partially responsible for the decrease, and the number of children joining 1st class declined by 29,102 as a result of population growth tapering off. An enrollment drive has since been conducted.
“Lack of facilities or the adoption of English medium in government schools is not at all the reason for the number of children going down,” said Mr. Rajasekhar.
The event was attended by M. Ramalingam, Joint Director of School Education, and D. Devendra Reddy, Director of Examinations.
