About APRS by Mr Ch Rajanna, Class of 1991

Background of AP Residential Schools:

Residential education in the public sector for the rural is the contribution of the late Prime Minister, P.V.Narasimha Rao. Drawing clue from the concept of "Gurukulam" in the epic stories of ancient India, Mr. Rao conceived the idea of setting up residential schools in Andhra Pradesh. The idea of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in the country is also the brainchild of Mr. Rao. Mr. Rao, soon after becoming the Chief Minister of the State, had set up a residential school for boys at Sarvail near Samsthan Narayanpur in Nalgonda district in November, 1971. He brought about a piece of legislation in 1972 forming the Andhra Pradesh Residential Educational Institutions (APREI) Society and had it registered under the Societies Act. This is an autonomous body with State funding. With the advent of the APREI Society, the State Government added two new schools, one at Tadikonda in Guntur district and another Kodigenahalli in Anantapur district. With the result, all the three regions in the State, coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana had one school each. And other schools was established later in 1983 under APREIS with the success story of these schools by Late N.T. Rama Rao Chief Minister. Many other APResidential Schools were introduced at the same time.

Concept:

The name of the school in local language, Telugu is Andhra Pradesh Gurukula Patasala. The school operates with the theme and inspiration of Gurukulam. Gurukulam is an ancient Indian school system where teachers and students live together in a remote natural campus setting, away from civil life.

All activities both inside the classroom and outside are carried out with tight student teacher association. Both academics and sports involvement are mandatory for each student. Students undertake rotational volunteer duties like dormitory cleanup and serving at the mess. From early morning physical education till late evening study hour, both students and staff lead an active and involved life at APRS, Pochampad.

Only rural residents are eligible for admission. APREI Society conducts a common entrance test for all the rural students of Andhra Pradesh at district level which is the criteria for student selection.