Samagra Shiksha wing to set up 125 specialised centres to help students facing autism-related challenges

Andhra Pradesh is the first State in the country to establish 125 specialised autism centres across the State to help students facing autism-related challenges, said the State Project Director of Samagra Shiksha B. Srinivasa Rao.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Srinivasa Rao informed that the Centre had approved a budget of ₹2,361 crore to A.P. Samagra Shiksha project besides allocating funds to the tune of ₹454 crore for implementation of the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme in the State. He said the State initiative of setting up autism centres was lauded by the Central officials, who said they would study the programme and consider its replication in other parts of the country, he said.

Mr. Rao said the allocated funds would be utilised to strengthen Bhavita Kendras, where special training is given to disabled children and to promote vocational education in schools. He said four zonal centres (Regional Vocational Hubs) would provide training to vocational teachers and all the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and PM SHRI schools in the State would be equipped with solar geysers and CCTV cameras, to ensure safety of the inmates. He said the department was also appointing Career and Mental Health Counsellors in 670 mandals across the State.

Applications invited

The Samagra Shiksha has also invited applications from girl students for admissions into Classes 6 and 11 and also to fill the vacant seats in Classes 7,8,9, 10 and 12 in the 352 KGBVs in the State, for the academic year 2025-26.

Mr. Rao said the online application process would be made available from March 22 to April 11, 2025. He said only orphan girls, out-of-school children, school dropouts and economically disadvantaged girls from SC, ST, BC, Minority and Below Poverty Line (BPL) households were eligible to apply. “Applications submitted only in online mode will be considered for admissions,” he clarified, informing that the application form can be accessed on the website https://apkgbv.apcfss.in/.

Mr. Rao said selected students would be notified via phone message and the selection list would also be displayed on the respective school’s notice board. For any issues or queries, applicants can contact 70751 59996 or 70750 39990.