AP rolls out statewide initiative to build innovation culture in schools

A statewide effort to boost creativity and entrepreneurial thinking among school students began in Vijayawada on Nov 20 as Siddhartha Deemed to be University launched a two-day Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship training program.

The initiative aims to deepen the culture of innovation in Andhra Pradesh’s schools and prepare students to become problem solvers from an early age.

The program is being conducted with backing from several national bodies, including the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, AICTE, Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, NCERT, the School Innovation Council, and the Wadhwani Foundation.

Samagra Shiksha Additional State Project Director MR Prasanna Kumar said today’s learners need more than traditional academics to succeed.

“Academic knowledge alone cannot shape a complete personality. Students must be equipped with the ability to think critically, solve problems, and innovate with new ideas and creations,” he said.

He recommended that innovation, design, and entrepreneurship be built into the curriculum starting from Class 6.

He added that schools and universities must encourage continuous innovation and create environments where students grow as thinkers, designers, and entrepreneurs capable of contributing to India’s development.

According to him, schools should actively spark discussions on new ideas, while science fairs and innovation exhibitions give students stronger opportunities to present their work.

He said nurturing such a mindset could help India, currently the world’s fourth largest economy, work its way to the top.

Elangovan Kariappan, Assistant Innovative Director in the Innovation Cell at AICTE, commended Andhra Pradesh for introducing School Innovation Councils in 50% of its schools.

He said trainees from the workshop would be recognized as District Innovation Ambassadors tasked with supporting schools and districts in building innovation ecosystems.

Kariappan also pointed out India’s progress in global rankings. He noted that the country’s position in the Global Innovation Index has moved up from 81 in 2015 to 38 at present.

He said the long-term national target under the Viksit Bharat mission is to place India among the top 10 most innovative economies by 2047.