‘Vidya Shakti’: Andhra Pradesh’s Digital Push to Empower Slow Learners

On June 25, 2025, Andhra Pradesh took a progressive step in education with the launch of ‘Vidya Shakti’, a remedial learning initiative focused on slow learners in government schools. Designed to improve academic performance, reduce dropout rates, and increase enrolment, the program marks a significant shift towards inclusive education.

What Is ‘Vidya Shakti’?

‘Vidya Shakti’ is an online remedial education programme that targets academically lagging students in Mathematics, Science, and English. It uses technology-based tools and after-school sessions to bridge learning gaps. The initiative is currently being rolled out in a phased manner across Andhra Pradesh.

Where and How It’s Being Implemented

According to V. Vijay Rama Raju, Director of School Education, the programme is presently implemented in:

• 4,424 Zilla Parishad, Government, and Municipal Schools

• 576 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs)

• Andhra Pradesh Residential and Model Schools

The program will run after regular school hours, and teachers are being trained through a five-day orientation programme to deliver this specialized remedial teaching.

Objectives of ‘Vidya Shakti’

The program is not just about improving test scores but about transforming the learning environment. Key objectives include:

• Enhancing learning outcomes in core academic subjects

• Reducing dropout rates among struggling students

• Boosting the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) across the State

• Supporting Class 10 students through subject-wise scheduling and mentoring

• Identifying and encouraging bright students to achieve excellence

Training & Technology: The Backbone of the Initiative

The program involves an advanced teacher training component in collaboration with IIT-Madras Pravartak, an innovation hub. During the inaugural session held in Amaravati, school leaders and educational directors emphasized the role of digital platforms in delivering structured remedial content.

Attendees at the launch included:

• V.N. Mastanayya, Secretary, A.P. Residential Educational Institutions Society (APREIS)

• K.V. Srinivasulu Reddy, Director of Government Examinations

• M.V. Krishna Reddy, Director, AP State Council of Educational Research and Technology (SCERT)

Structured Learning with a Personal Touch

Each student under the program will follow a fixed timetable, and teachers will provide individualised support based on learning gaps. The initiative encourages mentorship, where teachers treat every student “as their own”—a value reiterated by Mr. Rama Raju in his address.

Impact and Vision

By equipping teachers with training and students with extra academic time, ‘Vidya Shakti’ aims to build confidence, foundational understanding, and ultimately, academic independence. It aligns with the larger goal of creating a “learning-first” culture in government schools.