Amaravati: The government of Andhra Pradesh is set to collaborate with the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization to integrate its renowned curriculum into the state’s education system.
In a significant development, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, approved key proposals during its meeting on Wednesday. These include the issuance of a DSC notification to recruit 6100 teachers in Government schools and the filling of 689 vacancies in the forest department.
Furthermore, the Cabinet endorsed fresh investment proposals amounting to Rs. 22,302 crore for green energy projects sanctioned by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB).
As part of the educational reforms, the government has decided to partner with the Geneva-based educational organization IB to train teachers in Government schools and education department staff on the IB syllabus. This curriculum is slated to be introduced from the academic year 2025-26.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved raising the retirement age of non-teaching university staff to 62, along with filling 27 vacancies in the Legislature secretariat. It also green-lighted the implementation of the welfare calendar for February, disbursing Rs. 5060.04 Crore for the fourth tranche of YSR Cheyutha, benefiting nearly 27 lakh SC, ST, BC, and minority women aged 45 to 60 years.
Moreover, the Cabinet decided to appoint Secretaries for all 13,171 Village Panchayats with a population exceeding 500 individuals. It also created the position of Registrar in RGUKT through legal amendments.
Other approvals included issuing a bank guarantee to APDISCOMS for a Rs. 1500 crore loan to expand the distribution network, allocating land for solar power units and an IIT City, reducing VAT on natural gas, and amending the rules of the Advocates Welfare Fund 1987.
Furthermore, the Cabinet exempted 5376 families affected by the Pulichintala Project from registration and user charges amounting to Rs. 60 crore. It also sanctioned the establishment of the AP Legislature Institute of Legislative Study and Training and the allotment of house sites to prominent sports personalities.
In a separate development, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IB organization in Tadepalli, underscoring its dedication to offering students an internationally competitive education. This partnership will commence with teacher training in 2024-25, leading to the incorporation of the IB curriculum for Grade 1 starting from the 2025-26 academic year. The gradual implementation will extend to higher grades, culminating in joint IB and state board certifications by 2037. This initiative aims to provide students with a holistic education that emphasizes practical applications and interdisciplinary connections, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the world. Training programs will be conducted for various educational stakeholders, enabling them to become part of the esteemed IB global teacher network.