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Jagan accuses Naidu govt of weakening education in Andhra government schools
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has alleged that enrolment in government schools fell by over 5.5 lakh between 2023-24 and 2025-26, citing UDISE+ data. He said the figures contradict the state government’s claim that more than 1.1 lakh students moved from private to government schools. The ruling TDP has not yet responded.
Jagan alleges enrolment in Andhra government schools dropped by 5.5 lakh, disputes state’s shift claim
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has alleged that enrolment in government schools in the state declined sharply between 2023-24 and 2025-26, citing data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus of the Ministry of Education. In a post on X, he said the figures contradict the state government’s claim that more than 1.1 lakh students shifted from private to government schools.
According to the figures cited by Mr. Jagan, government school enrolment fell from 40,50,116 in 2023-24 — the final year of his government — to 34,93,450 in 2025-26, a decline of over 5.5 lakh students. He also said the number of government schools came down from about 45,000 to 44,222, while government-aided schools declined from 991 to 797. In contrast, enrolment in private management schools increased from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296 during the same period.
Mr. Jagan argued that if more than 1.1 lakh students had actually shifted from private schools to government schools, the overall enrolment in government schools should have increased. Instead, he said, the data shows a clear reduction, which he described as a “very worrisome trend.” He alleged that the decline highlights the plight of government schools in Andhra Pradesh and proves the state government’s claim incorrect.
The former chief minister accused the government of weakening the public education system to facilitate the growth of private educational institutions. He alleged that the private education sector in the state was dominated by major institutions such as Narayana, Sri Chaitanya, Bhashyam, Vignan and GITAM, and claimed that the government maintained close ties with them. In his post, he alleged that the administration led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was systematically weakening public education to benefit corporate school networks.
Mr. Jagan also recalled the initiatives taken by his government between 2019 and 2024, saying they had strengthened government schools. He mentioned the Mana Badi–Nadu Nedu programme, under which infrastructure was modernised in 56,703 government schools, welfare hostels and junior colleges. He said the programme was implemented in phases, with Phase I covering 15,715 schools, Phase II extending improvements to 22,344 schools, and Phase III underway by June 2024.
The former chief minister said his government had introduced English as the medium of instruction from the primary level, provided bilingual textbooks and Oxford dictionaries to all students, and launched digital learning initiatives. These included installing around 62,000 interactive flat panels in classrooms from Class 6 onwards, 45,000 smart TVs in schools with Classes 1 to 5, and providing free tablets with pre-loaded BYJU’s content to Class 8 students and their teachers. He also noted that TOEFL was introduced as a subject from Class 3 onwards to help students develop spoken English skills, and that an MoU was signed with the American Educational Testing Service (ETS) for international certification. He said there were plans to introduce the International Baccalaureate (IB) system in government schools.
There has been no immediate reaction from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to Mr. Jagan’s allegations.
How each outlet told it
Deccan Chronicle
Framing: Headline is neutral, stating 'Jagan Questions Drop in Andhra Govt School Enrolment' without evaluative language. — Neutral reportorial, similar to ThePrint.
Facts Included:
Jagan alleged decline in government school enrolment, citing UDISE Plus data for 2025-26 contradicting claim of over 1.1 lakh shift from private to state-run schools.
Enrolment fell from 40,50,116 in 2023-24 to 34,93,450 in 2025-26, decline over 5.5 lakh.
Government schools down from 45,000 to 44,222; aided schools from 991 to 797.
Private school enrolment increased from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296.
Jagan said if influx, enrolment should have increased.
No immediate reaction from TDP.
Alleged private education sector dominated by major institutions and government maintained close ties.
YSRCP reforms: Mana Badi-Nadu Nedu, English medium, bilingual textbooks, 62,000 IFPs, 45,000 smart TVs, TOEFL, MoU with ETS, IB plans.
Framing: Headline directly accuses 'Naidu govt' of weakening education, using strong language ('Jagan accuses... of weakening'). — Combative; uses phrases like 'unholy association' and 'dangerous trend' to reflect Jagan's rhetoric.
Facts Included:
Jagan accused Naidu government of weakening education in government schools to support private institutions.
Citing UDISE+ data, alleged clear reduction in enrolments in AY 2025-26 compared to AY 2023-24.
Government school enrolment fell from 40,50,116 to 34,93,450, decline of 5,56,666.
Government schools reduced from 45,000 to 44,222; aided schools from 991 to 797.
Private school enrolment increased from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296.
Jagan claimed private education sector dominated by institutions like Narayana, Sri Chaitanya, Bhashyam, Vignan, and GITAM.
Alleged 'close unholy association' with these institutions.
YSRCP reforms detailed: Mana Badi-Nadu Nedu with phases (Phase I 15,715 schools, Phase II 22,344, Phase III underway by June 2024); free Tabs with BYJU's content for Class 8; English medium; bilingual textbooks; 62,000 IFPs; 45,000 smart TVs; TOEFL; MoU with ETS; IB plans.
Jagan said statistics indicate 'very worrisome trend' of quality education being inaccessible to those who cannot afford private schools.
Framing: Headline describes Jagan 'questioning' coalition claims, focusing on the challenge to the government's assertions. — Adversarial; uses 'sharp attack' and 'systematically weakening' to convey the confrontational nature.
Facts Included:
Jagan mounted sharp attack on NDA-led Andhra Pradesh government, citing UDISE+ figures to dispute claims of students moving from private to government schools.
Data comparing 2023-24 and 2025-26 shows public school enrolment dropped sharply while private school numbers climbed.
Public school student strength fell from 40,50,116 to 34,93,450, net decline of 5,56,666.
Government schools dropped from 45,000 to 44,222; aided institutions from 991 to 797.
Private management institutions enrolment expanded from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296.
Alleged administration led by CM N Chandrababu Naidu is systematically weakening public education to benefit corporate school networks like Narayana, Sri Chaitanya, Bhashyam, Vignan and GITAM.
Framing: Headline emphasizes the alleged drop and the contrast with government claims, using quotes around 'drops' to signal it's an allegation. — Measured; describes Jagan's allegations without endorsement.
Facts Included:
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged decline in government school enrolment, citing UDISE Plus data for 2025-26 contradicting claim of over 1.1 lakh students shifting from private to state-run schools.
Enrolment fell from 40,50,116 in 2023-24 to 34,93,450 in 2025-26, decline of over 5.5 lakh.
Government schools down from 45,000 to 44,222; aided schools down from 991 to 797.
Private school enrolment increased from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296.
Jagan said if influx had occurred, overall enrolment should have increased.
No immediate reaction from TDP.
Jagan alleged private education sector dominated by major institutions and government maintained close ties with them.
YSRCP reforms listed: Mana Badi-Nadu Nedu, English medium, bilingual textbooks, Oxford dictionaries, 62,000 interactive flat panels, 45,000 smart TVs, TOEFL, MoU with ETS, IB plans.
Framing: Emphasizes the enrolment decline headline, with 'Claims Former CM Citing UDISE Plus Data' suggesting the claim is attributed to Jagan rather than established fact. — Reportorial, neutral; presents Jagan's statements without editorial commentary.
Facts Included:
Former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed government school enrolment fell by over 5.5 lakh between 2023-24 and 2025-26, citing UDISE Plus data.
Enrolment declined from 40,50,116 in 2023-24 to 34,93,450 in 2025-26.
Number of government schools fell from 45,000 to 44,222; government-aided schools from 991 to 797.
Private school enrolment increased from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296.
Jagan argued the decline contradicted state government's claim that over 1.1 lakh students shifted from private to government schools.
No immediate reaction from ruling TDP.
Jagan claimed government policies were weakening government education system and facilitating growth of private institutions.
Highlighted YSRCP reforms: Mana Badi-Nadu Nedu modernised 56,703 schools; English medium; bilingual textbooks; Oxford dictionaries; 62,000 interactive flat panels; 45,000 smart TVs; TOEFL from Class 3; MoU with ETS; plans for IB system.
Framing: Headline states Jagan 'alleges' decline, focusing on the claim itself. — Serious; uses 'concerns', 'sharp decline', 'raises questions' to convey a questioning tone.
Facts Included:
Jagan raised concerns over sharp decline in enrolment in government schools, citing UDISE+ data to question government's claim of over 1.10 lakh shift.
Enrolment declined from 40,50,116 to 34,93,450, fall of 5,56,666.
Government and aided schools declined; numbers: government schools 44,222 vs around 45,000 earlier; aided from 991 to 797.
Private school enrolment increased from 45,53,380 to 48,40,296.
Jagan said if 1.10 lakh had shifted, enrolment should have increased.
Alleged TDP-led coalition government weakening public education and reversing gains of YSRCP.
Recalled initiatives: Mana Badi–Nadu Nedu covering 56,703 schools; digital learning initiatives including tablets for Class VIII students and teachers, interactive flat panels, smart TVs.
Referred to English-medium education, bilingual textbooks, spoken English training, and proposed International Baccalaureate system.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief, claimed that government school enrolment in the state fell by over 5.5 lakh students between 2023-24 and 2025-26, citing UDISE Plus data.
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the UDISE Plus data for 2025-26 contradicts the Andhra Pradesh government's claim that more than 1.1 lakh students shifted from private schools to government schools.
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that if more than 1.1 lakh students had shifted from private to government schools, overall enrolment in government schools should have increased.
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the government's policies were weakening the government education system while facilitating the growth of private educational institutions.
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the private education sector in Andhra Pradesh was dominated by institutions such as Narayana, Sri Chaitanya, Bhashyam, Vignan, and GITAM.
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the Chandrababu Naidu government had a close (or 'unholy') association with major private educational institutions.
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the TDP-led coalition government was systematically weakening the public education system to benefit corporate school networks.
ClaimYS Jagan Mohan Reddy said the statistics indicated a 'very worrisome trend' of quality education being made inaccessible to students who could not afford private schools.
ClaimUnder the Mana Badi-Nadu Nedu programme, infrastructure was modernised in 56,703 government schools, welfare hostels and junior colleges in Andhra Pradesh.
ClaimUnder Mana Badi-Nadu Nedu, Phase I covered 15,715 schools, Phase II extended improvements to 22,344 schools, and Phase III was underway by June 2024.
6 outlets · 6 articles consulted: Deccan Chronicle, Lokmat Times, The New Indian Express, ThePrint, Times Now, The Hindu — World23 claims extractedVersion 3Written 2026-08-24