AP Waqf Board Allocates ₹6 Crore to Support Minority Education Excellence
The Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board has released ₹6 crore to provide free residential coaching for 250 meritorious minority students. Selected via the Taalim-e-Hunar Talent Test, students will receive support for competitive exams, reflecting a commitment to removing financial barriers to quality higher education.
Highlights
- •Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board allocates ₹6 crore for minority student education initiatives.
- •250 meritorious students selected for residential coaching after a competitive talent test.
- •Program provides preparation for competitive exams like IIT and medical entrance.
- •41% of selected students are girls, exceeding the initial 33% reservation target.
In a significant initiative aimed at boosting minority education, the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board has officially distributed college allotment certificates to 250 meritorious students. These students were selected through the Taalim-e-Hunar Talent Test, a specialized assessment designed to identify promising individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds for free residential coaching in premier academic institutions. The distribution ceremony took place at the Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada, marking a substantial commitment to providing equitable learning opportunities.
N.M.D. Farooq, the Minister for Minority Welfare, Waqf, and Urdu Academy, announced that approximately ₹6 crore has been allocated from the board’s resources. This funding is specifically designated to ensure that talented minority students who achieved at least 450 marks in their SSC examinations can pursue higher education without financial barriers. The minister emphasized that this program represents a major milestone in government-led efforts to support the educational advancement of marginalized communities across the state.
Transforming Opportunities Through Residential Coaching
The selection process for this program was highly competitive, with 250 candidates chosen from a pool of 6,605 who appeared for the talent test. Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Chairman of the State Waqf Board, noted that the initiative highlights the academic potential within the community, especially among female candidates, who accounted for 41 percent of those selected, successfully surpassing the 33 percent reservation quota. These students will now receive high-quality residential coaching at the Chaitanya Gosala Campus in Vijayawada, preparing them for rigorous competitive examinations including IIT and medical entrance tests.
This initiative follows a Public Private People Partnership (P4) model, which reflects the broader vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to remove poverty as an obstacle to academic success. During the event, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, also known as Chinni, encouraged the youth to explore modern, high-growth career paths. He specifically highlighted the importance of gaining skills in emerging technology fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Furthermore, discussions during the gathering touched upon the need for long-term sustainability in welfare initiatives. Minister N.M.D. Farooq stressed that protecting and commercially developing Waqf properties is essential for generating ongoing revenue to support such educational endeavors. Local leaders, including MLC Zakia Khanam, various MLAs, and senior education officials, participated in the event, all underscoring the transformative power of accessible education in fostering community empowerment and long-term economic growth.
