HYDERABAD: The Government is contemplating bringing in several reforms to improve education standards by establishing concept schools.

This was decided here on Sunday at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy with Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education K.C. Reddy and senior Education Department officials.

An official release said the Government was mulling establishment of at least two concept schools, mostly residential, in each district to be located in rural areas under public-private partnership from the coming academic year.

The Government decided to introduce this concept from classes VI to XII.

Ultimately it would be expanded with one school in every mandal.

CBSE pattern

The curriculum would be based on CBSE pattern.

The concept schools would be co-educational and English medium institutions.

The Chief Minister said in the next two years 3,000 concept schools should be established.

Reviewing the original proposal of the Education Department, Dr. Reddy noted that earlier it was proposed to introduce the concept from classes I to XII.

Since it was on residential model, he felt, it would not be possible to impart such an innovative educational programme from I to V class students at a tender age.

PSUs to be roped in

Besides, separating the young ones from their mothers and keeping them in residential schools would not be ethical.

Also, providing the health care to them might also pose unnecessary problems, the Chief Minister opined.

Hence, it was decided to limit the concept from classes VI to XII.

The Government was contemplating involving philanthropic organisations, major revenue earning temples, public sector undertakings, both State and Central, charitable societies and academic institutions of standing to promote the initiative.

Their participation, however, will be purely voluntary, the release added.

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