Despite big budgets, schools in Hyderabad’s old city wait for own buildings

Several government schools in Hyderabad’s old city have been functioning from rented buildings for decades. With poor facilities, unpaid rent dues, and no permanent structures, students suffer. Parents and activists blame the government’s apathy toward educational infrastructure and welfare

Hyderabad: Despite large budgets being allocated to improve educational access for the underprivileged, several government schools in the older parts of Hyderabad continue to operate from rented buildings instead of having permanent structures.

For decades, many schools have functioned out of rented premises originally constructed for family accommodation, drawing criticism from social activists and parents alike.

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Consider the case of the Government Primary School at Bazaar-e-Jumerat in Nampally mandal. The school has been operating from a rented building since 1975, with the government continuing to pay rent to the property owners. “In the last 50 years, the government has failed to provide a permanent building for this school. It reflects the education department’s lack of seriousness in offering proper facilities in the old city,” said Syed Nabi, an advocate and social activist.

There are several schools in Bandlaguda, Charminar, and Bahadurpura mandals that also function from private buildings. The Government Girls High School at Kotla Alijah and the Government Primary School at Irani Galli have been operating out of private premises since 1995, with monthly rents of Rs. 25,580 and Rs. 35,052 respectively paid by the State government.

“It’s been nearly 30 years, and the authorities still haven’t managed to construct permanent buildings. Students attend classes in cramped rooms without proper ventilation or playgrounds,” said RTI activist S Q Masood.

At least 30 schools in Bahadurpura I and Bahadurpura II mandals function from rented premises, while more than 12 such schools exist in Charminar and Bandlaguda mandals.

“Due to inadequate facilities like proper washrooms, clean drinking water, and ventilation, our children are reluctant to attend government-run schools. They prefer staying home or ask us to enroll them in private schools,” said Zainab Unnisa, a housewife whose husband drives an auto-rickshaw.

In some cases, the government has failed to clear long-pending rental dues. Several school headmasters have complained that building owners are asking them to vacate the premises due to non-payment of rent.

The Government High School in Chintalguda, Khairatabad reportedly owes Rs. 50.51 lakh in rent, with the last payment made in September 2022.

“With the rent being paid over the years, the government could have purchased or built its own buildings. There seems to be no seriousness when it comes to improving educational infrastructure,” said Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson Amjedullah Khan.