Singapore Home Minister K. Shanmugam expressed strong appreciation for the education reforms being pursued by the Andhra Pradesh government and assured the state’s cooperation in strengthening its school and skill systems. The assurance came during discussions with Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh after the two leaders offered prayers at the Tirumala temple.
Shanmugam arrived in Tirumala on Monday night and was received by Lokesh. On Tuesday morning the ministers participated in the Suprabhata Seva, Thomala Seva and Archana Seva before Lord Sri Venkateswara. After the darshan they held detailed talks on education reforms, skill development, measures to reduce school dropouts, drug prevention and social security.
Lokesh briefed the Singapore minister on the development and welfare programmes being implemented by the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, with special emphasis on the changes introduced in the education sector. He highlighted steps aimed at improving learning outcomes, encouraging students to shift from private schools to government schools, and reducing the number of children who leave school early.
Shanmugam welcomed the focus on education and said Singapore would share relevant practices and extend cooperation wherever suitable models could be adapted. He underlined that keeping children in school is one of the most effective ways to protect them from drugs and other social problems. The Singapore minister appreciated the efforts already under way in Andhra Pradesh to lower the dropout rate and suggested additional measures that could help bring the figure closer to zero.
He also expressed interest in visiting government schools in the state to see the reforms on the ground and reiterated Singapore’s willingness to support the strengthening of Andhra Pradesh’s education system.
The conversation then turned to the challenge of drug abuse. Shanmugam explained Singapore’s approach, which combines strict laws, firm penalties and strong preventive programmes. He offered to share Singapore’s experience so that Andhra Pradesh can build on it while designing its own strategies for a drug-free society. Both sides agreed that early intervention in schools and communities is essential.
Skill development formed another important part of the discussion. Lokesh and Shanmugam explored the possibility of linking Andhra Pradesh’s Industrial Training Institutes with Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education. Shanmugam described how the ITE model aligns training closely with industry needs and produces graduates ready for employment. The two sides agreed to examine concrete forms of cooperation that could bring job-oriented training programmes to the youth of Andhra Pradesh.
Separately, Shanmugam spoke about his experience at Tirumala. He recalled a saying he had noticed on an earlier visit behind the Executive Officer’s desk: “It’s not the darshan that you want, it’s the darshan that he gives.” He said he had received an excellent darshan this time and praised the arrangements made by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. He added that it had been a pleasure to visit the temple with Lokesh.
The meeting at Tirumala reflects a broader interest in practical international partnerships that can support Andhra Pradesh’s stated priorities in education and youth development. By focusing on reducing dropouts, improving government schools, controlling drug abuse and upgrading vocational training, the state government is attempting to address both immediate social challenges and longer-term economic needs.
Shanmugam’s offer of cooperation provides an opportunity for Andhra Pradesh to study proven systems in school retention, technical education and drug prevention. Whether through exchange of best practices, capacity-building programmes or institutional linkages between ITIs and the ITE, the discussions open a channel for sustained engagement.
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Officials on both sides are expected to follow up on the points raised during the Tirumala meeting. The emphasis on measurable outcomes lower dropout numbers, higher enrollment in government schools, and better employment-linked skills suggests that any future collaboration will be judged by results on the ground rather than by statements alone.
For Andhra Pradesh, the engagement with Singapore comes at a time when the state is trying to reposition its education system as a foundation for broader social and economic progress. For Singapore, it offers a chance to share approaches that have delivered strong results in a different context. The conversation at Tirumala has set the stage for that exchange.
