Srikakulam pushes Badi Pilustondi drive to lift admissions in government schools

The Srikakulam district administration has stepped up admissions in government schools under the Badi Pilustondi (school-calling) programme, which will continue till the second week of June 2026. Against the backdrop of corporate schools entering semi-urban areas with bus facilities, the government is worried about a possible drop in admissions in the 2026-27 academic year.

District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar on Friday (May 8, 2026) directed Srikakulam District Education Officer A. Ravi Babu and other officials to involve teachers and others in the Badi Pilustondi programme so that parents would know about the facilities, academic standards and Class X examination results in government schools.

Teachers and officials take out a rally under the Badi Pilustondi programme in Gudem village of Srikakulam district on Friday.
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Special Arrangement

The Collector is expected to hold a review meeting soon with mandal educational officers, headmasters and members of school committees to ensure more admissions in government schools this year.

Mr. Ravi Babu said the teachers were taking up rallies and a door-to-door campaign to promote government schools. He hoped that the schools would register full admissions despite the influence of corporate and private schools. He said the government would supply textbooks, uniforms, bags and belts free of cost, and provide a free meal at lunchtime for the students. Teachers’ associations are objecting to the admission drive in the scorching summer.