YS Jagan Mohan Reddy‘s attack on the Chandrababu Naidu government over government-school enrolment raises a valid question, but the UDISE+ numbers need more context before judging Nara Lokesh’s education reforms.
Jagan points to government-school enrolment falling from 40.50 lakh in 2023-24 to 34.93 lakh in 2025-26. Nara Lokesh, meanwhile, says more than 1.10 lakh students have moved from private schools to government schools this academic year.
These numbers measure different things. Total enrolment can fall even when students are moving into government schools because others graduate, migrate or change schools.
The latest enrolment share also tells a different story. Government schools accounted for 41.40% of total enrolment in 2025-26, rising to 42.34% in 2026-27.
Another number is hard to ignore. Of the 4,040 students provisionally selected for RGUKT’s six-year Integrated B.Tech programme, 3,907 came from government schools.
Lokesh’s wider education push includes teacher training, curriculum changes, sending 29 teachers to Finland and the new ‘She Play’ initiative for girls.
The challenge now is to turn these efforts into lasting improvement.
Are more parents choosing government schools? Are learning outcomes improving? Are students getting better opportunities?
Jagan’s numbers highlight the challenge. The latest figures give Lokesh a chance to show that government schools can regain parents’ confidence.
Ultimately, the real test is simple. Can AP’s government schools become good enough that parents choose them for their quality?
