Harish Rao demands CM to address pressing issues in Telangana’s education system

Harish Rao blamed the Congress government for mismanagement, reversing the progress achieved during the BRS regime, which had strengthened government schools and welfare residential educational institutions.

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior BRS MLA T Harish Rao on Monday held Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy responsible for the deteriorating conditions in education system and welfare hostels for SC, ST, BC, and minority students in the State. Stating that the future of Telangana’s students and the credibility of its education system were at risk, he demanded urgent intervention to prevent further harm.

In an open letter to the Chief Minister, Harish Rao blamed the Congress government for mismanagement, reversing the progress achieved during the BRS regime, which had strengthened government schools and welfare residential educational institutions. He pointed out that nearly 1,900 schools had shut down within just nine months of Congress rule, depriving thousands of students of access to basic education.

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“Out of 26,287 government schools, nearly 20,000 are in dire condition,” he said, stating that around 1,800 schools were completely empty and many others operating with less than 30 students. He warned that the future of Telangana’s children was at stake, and demanded for reopening of the closed schools by appointing Vidya Volunteers.

The former Minister criticised the State government for its negligence towards welfare hostels, where students were suffering due to unhygienic conditions, food poisoning, and even bites of snakes and rats. “Over 715 students have been hospitalised this year alone, and more than 40 lost lives,” he noted, slamming the State administration for its inaction.

In his letter, Harish Rao outlined a 15-point demand list, including reopening closed schools, appointing teachers, reviving the suspended Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, clearing pending mid-day meals bills, and paying eight months of pending salaries to hostel staff. He also urged immediate action on providing basic amenities like sanitation and drinking water, and uniforms to students in government schools. He also demanded that the government pay diet charges, distribute pending uniforms, and provide essential supplies like bed sheets and shoes to hostel students.