
HRD Minister Nara Lokesh felicitating Penamaluru Zilla Parishad High School headmistress Yelamanchili Durga Bhavani, at Undavalli in Guntur district on Friday.
Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday said he looked forward to seeing ‘Admissions Closed’ boards outside government schools — a sign, he noted, that parents trust the quality of education in State-run institutions.
He made the remark while felicitating Yelamanchili Durga Bhavani, headmistress of Zilla Parishad High School, Penamaluru (Krishna district), for her outstanding dedication and achievements. Mr. Lokesh said improving educational quality and boosting enrolment were top priorities for the government.
Highlighting Ms. Durga Bhavani’s accomplishments, the Minister said 54 students from her school scored above 500 marks in the 2025 SSC exams, while seven secured seats in IIITs. For three consecutive years, her students have consistently earned National Means-cum-Merit (NMM) scholarships.
Her school has also achieved several milestones under her leadership — it was the first government school in the State to host a ‘Graduation Day,’ be selected under the PM SHRI Yojana, and introduce wall art, dance and music classes, and computer training through community engagement. It has also become a hub for student innovation under the Atal Tinkering Lab initiative.
Calling her a role model for educators, Mr. Lokesh said his interactions with grassroots-level teachers have helped him better understand on-ground challenges and opportunities.
Published – July 18, 2025 09:53 pm IST