Pradeep Vennelakanti Tirupati

Thegrowing number of students choosing government junior colleges has pushed admissions in the sector up by 10 per cent in Tirupati district this academic year. The number of students admitted to government junior colleges increased from 2,642 in 2025-26 to 2,910 in 2026-27, a rise of 268 students.

Overall admissions in junior colleges across the district have also increased from 4,942 last academic year to 5,442 this year. The number of students has gone up by 500 and admissions are still continuing. The number of colleges has increased from 74 to 76 during the same period.

Of the total 5,442 admissions, 119 students joined APRJC colleges, 2,910 government junior colleges, 598 High School Plus institutions, 281 KGBVs, 72 MJPAP institutions, 555 Model Schools, 574 Social Welfare institutions and 333 Tribal Welfare institutions.

Officials attributed the increase in admissions in government junior colleges to several initiatives taken by the State government and the Department of Intermediate Education to provide better support and improve the learning environment for students.

Regional inspection officer (RIO) Dr D Gopal Reddy said free meals have been provided to students in government sector junior colleges under the Dokka Seethamma Midday Meals Scheme since January 2025. The initiative is aimed at supporting students and encouraging them to continue their education.

Under the Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra Scheme, students in government junior colleges have been receiving free textbooks, notebooks and records since the 2024-25 academic year.

The department is also providing SANKALP study material to average-performing students to give them additional academic support. The programme focuses on improving examination performance through remedial schedules, special study hours and student categorisation.

Dr Gopal Reddy said the initiatives were aimed at improving both enrolment and academic performance. The rise in admissions in government junior colleges showed the response to the measures taken by the department, he said. AP Government Junior Lecturers Association president V Ravi said improvement in infrastructure was also playing a role in attracting more students to government junior colleges. The installation of Interactive Flat Panel boards in classrooms had improved the teaching-learning process.

The provision of midday meals has helped students avoid going home for lunch, improving attendance and allowing them to spend more time in classes, which in turn is supporting their studies.

The improvement in pass percentages in government junior colleges was another factor encouraging students to opt for government institutions, he felt.