Telangana private schools threaten shutdown by June 20 over Rs 210 crore in unpaid fees

With operations stalled and financial pressure mounting, over 25,000 students could be left without access to education

Hyderabad: Citing severe financial stress, private schools in Telangana have threatened to shut down if the State government fails to clear tuition fee arrears amounting to approximately Rs 210 crore under the Best Available Schools Scheme (BASS) by June 20.

For several years, private institutions have been implementing BASS, under which SC and ST students are enrolled, with the State government responsible for reimbursing their tuition fees. Currently, 237 private schools participate in the scheme, catering to around 25,000 students across the State.

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According to school managements, the government has failed to release fee reimbursements totaling Rs 210 crore over the past three academic years. This prolonged delay has created a severe financial burden, making it difficult for schools to manage even routine operations.

A private school owner revealed that loan recovery agents and private financiers have begun visiting campuses that had borrowed funds to sustain operations.

“Given the financial constraints, we are unable to pay EMIs for school buses. Some buses have already been seized by financiers. We’re avoiding visiting our schools to escape recovery agents. The situation is grave,” the owner said.

BASS State president and general secretary Yadagiri Shekhar Rao highlighted that while the government spends about Rs 1.5 lakh per welfare hostel student and Rs 50,000 per day scholar, BASS schools provide quality education at a much lower cost — Rs 42,000 for hostellers and Rs 28,000 for day scholars.

“Despite this, no funds have been released for the last three years, causing significant financial distress,” Rao added.

Though schools reopened on June 12, BASS administrators said they were unable to resume operations due to a lack of government funds. As a result, students have not yet been allowed back into BASS schools.

“We will be forced to shut down if the State government fails to release the pending tuition fees by June 20,” Rao warned.