The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, has introduced new school uniforms and renamed several education schemes, reversing the changes implemented by the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy administration. The new uniform will feature cream and olive green shades, replacing the lavender and blue combinations introduced by the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) in 2020-21.
Uniform Change Reflects Political Transition
The newly introduced uniform for state-run school students will come into effect from the next academic year in June. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary and Minister for Human Resource Development Lokesh shared images of the new uniforms, highlighting that they would be free from party colours, leader photos, and government branding.
Lokesh’s remarks referenced the Jagan-Anna Vidya Kanuka school kits, which allegedly featured the former Chief Minister’s photos on some items. However, YSRCP leaders denied the connection between the previous uniform colours and the party’s flag.
“Every government has the discretion to make changes, but we never used school uniforms for political purposes,” said Botcha Satyanarayana, the former education minister under the YSRCP government.
Teachers’ Associations Criticise Frequent Changes
Teachers’ associations have criticised the recurring uniform changes with each change in government. Pakalapati Raghu Varma, an independent MLC representing the Vizianagaram-Visakhapatnam-Srikakulam Teachers’ constituency, stated:
“The word ‘uniform’ itself means consistency. Changing school uniforms every five years due to political shifts confuses students and parents. This trend should stop.”
Renaming of Education Schemes
The TDP-led government has also renamed several key education schemes introduced under the YSRCP administration:
| Previous Scheme Name | New Scheme Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Jagan-Anna Vidya Kanuka | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra | Provides free uniforms, books, and supplies to 35.69 lakh students |
| Jagananna Gorumudda | Dokka Seethamma Madhyana Badi Bhojanam | Mid-day meal scheme with improved nutrition |
| Jagananna Vidya Deevena | Post Matric Scholarship (Refundable Tuition Fee) | Refunds tuition fees for higher education |
| Jagananna Vasathi Deevena | Post Matric Scholarships (Maintenance Fee) | Financial support for student accommodation |
| Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena | Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi | Financial aid for overseas education for SC students |
| YSR Vidyonnathi | NTR Vidyonnathi | Financial support for civil service exam preparation |
| Jagananna Civil Services Protsahakam | Incentives for Civil Services Examination | Incentives for students appearing for civil service exams |
The state’s finance minister Payyavula Keshav justified the changes, stating that the new schemes aim to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure equal access to education. The government estimates that the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra scheme alone will benefit 35.69 lakh students.
Political Backlash and Criticism
YSRCP leaders have criticised the TDP government for reversing the reforms introduced by the previous administration. They argue that the new government is focused more on erasing the legacy of Jagan Mohan Reddy than on improving the education sector.
“Instead of continuing with beneficial reforms, the TDP government is reversing progress. This will disrupt the education system and waste resources,” said Botcha Satyanarayana.
Conclusion
Andhra Pradesh’s decision to alter school uniforms and rename education schemes underscores the political undercurrents influencing the state’s education sector. While the TDP government claims these changes aim to improve education and reduce financial strain on families, critics argue that they reflect political motives rather than educational progress.
