In 153 schools in eight mandals of Gadwal, Rangareddy, Hyderabad and Medchal districts, 73 schools do not have kitchens for cooking mid-day meals, 69 do not have separate toilets for boys and girls, 92 do not provide mid-day meals as per the menu. These and other surprising facts were revealed by G. Bhagyalakshmi of the Mothers’ Association when she justified higher budgetary outlays on school education at a round table conference on the issue.
“We are not asking for money out of thin air. We are compiling statistics based on a study we have done in these districts to show how bad the situation is with schools that do not have fencing, classrooms, toilets and drinking water facilities,” she said, calling for 20% of Telangana’s budget to be allocated to the education sector.
At a conference organized by the M. Venkatarangaiya Foundation at the Press Club in Hyderabad, educationists and social activists advocated for an increase in budgetary expenditure on education from 7.5% to 20%.
“Government schools bring equality in society. Government schools are accessible to all irrespective of social or economic status. There is a need to strengthen the education system and this can only happen with mass involvement,” said M. Kodandaram, MLC, Telangana. “Social change is possible only with government schools,” he said.
“The schools are there, but there are no children in the school. Toilets are being built for the schools, but they are not working. Some schools are surrounded by toilets, but none of them will be usable. We need working toilets,” said former MLC Narsi Reddy, highlighting how budget cuts have affected school infrastructure and maintenance.
“CURE, PURE and RARE show the Telangana government’s focus on urbanisation. There are more children in urban areas than rural areas in Telangana. If there are more children, the number of schools should naturally increase to match the urbanisation. This has not happened. If these schools have to be built, there has to be more budget,” he said.
Neglected sector
“The education sector has been in shambles since the formation of separate Telangana. Our hopes have been dashed. It is not the rise of Telangana. It is the decline of Telangana,” said K. Laxminarajana. “Telangana’s GDP is growing, but why is education expenditure not increasing. It was 11% when Telangana was formed, now it is 7.5%. This decline shows the havoc wreaked by rulers who do not care about the people. This is a meeting in the town. It will soon take the form of dharnas and protests in the villages,” said the former UoH professor.
Published – 05 Feb 2026 18:58 IST
