Vijayawada: Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday distributed appointment letters to successful candidates of the recently concluded DSC, asserting that the number of teachers recruited during his tenure exceeds the combined total of all previous chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at a mega event, Naidu reiterated his long-standing commitment to education, stating that it has always been his top priority. “Education drives development. That’s why I encouraged IT studies during my first term,” he said. Signing the DSC notification file as his first official act, Naidu linked the recruitment to his “super six” promise of creating 20 lakh jobs in five years.

Answering another question on his favourite teacher who inspired him in his leadership journey, Naidu recollected memories with his economics professor, DL Narayana, who encouraged him to enter politics. He explained how he won as MLA from the university campus. Naidu said that times have changed a lot now, as these are the days for smart work instead of hard work.

The chief minister praised the education department officials and minister for HRD, Nara Lokesh, for successfully holding the mega DSC without any issues. He said that the entire process was conducted in the most transparent manner. In 15 years as chief minister, he conducted DSC 14 times and recruited 196,619 teachers. Naidu assured that from now on, DSC will be held every year and urged unemployed youth to be prepared.

Taking on those who filed cases on DSC, Naidu said that some people in the state do nothing good and would not tolerate if others are doing it. As many as 106 cases were filed in a bid to stop the teachers’ recruitment process, but the officials effectively overcame all the difficulties. Naidu also explained the reforms that Lokesh brought in the education sector, including no bag day, mega parent-teacher meetings, and mid-day meals with superfine rice.

The chief minister criticised the previous YSRCP govt, alleging that the education sector was destroyed completely in the name of English medium schools. Because of the unmindful decisions taken by the previous govt, as many as 10 lakh students left govt schools and joined private schools. However, with the reforms introduced by the NDA govt, govt schools have reached a level of putting up no admission boards at several places. Naidu urged newly appointed teachers to give value-based education to students and update themselves with the changes coming in the education sector. HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and BJP state chief PVN Madhav also participated in the event. Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, who could not attend the event due to health reasons, sent a congratulatory message to the teachers and education department officials for successfully completing the DSC process.