AP & Telangana State Head – Anandam Dundi :-
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday instructed officials, experts, vice-chancellors, and intellectuals to ensure that the new Telangana Education Policy (TEP) integrates language, communication, knowledge, skills and sports, aiming to make youth employable at a global level and assist in the eradication of poverty.The TEP should be drafted to align with field and market conditions, studies, and anticipated needs for at least the next 25 years. In the current system, he said, students with language skills often lack adequate knowledge, many with knowledge are weak in communication, and where both exist, skills are absent.”This govt is not satisfied with the existing educational standards. A complete overhaul is required, from primary education to universities. The TEP will have a special chapter in the Vision Document-2047. Constitute sub-committees as per field expertise and prepare the best education policy,” the CM stated during a review meeting on the new education policy at the secretariat.
He stated that the education system should primarily benefit the poor. “Students are being separated from childhood in the name of BC, SC, ST and minority gurukuls. Equal opportunities must be created in schools to eliminate this and foster a sense of equality.
The new policy should serve as a compass for the country,” Revanth said, adding that collaboration with various foundations and NGOs will be sought to improve education standards and ensure the effective use of technology.
Of the Rs 21,000 crore budget allocated to the education department, 98% is spent on salaries. However, the govt, he said, will not hesitate to spend more on education. “We have decided to set up a special education corporation to focus on improving infrastructure and standards. We have requested the Central govt to treat the expenditure on education as an investment and not as an expense, and to exempt loans for education development from the FRBM limit. There is a need for clarity on syllabus design, resource mobilisation and policy implementation in the Telangana education policy,” he said.
The chief minister sought feedback and suggestions from experts and field professionals for drafting the new policy. He recalled how Osmania, Kakatiya and other universities played a significant role in shaping students’ careers in the past. Education, he said, remains the most effective tool to eradicate poverty. While employment opportunities expanded after economic liberalisation, students are struggling to secure jobs outside the software sector. “Of the lakhs of engineering students, less than 10% are securing employment due to a lack of skills and communication,” he said.
Revanth also pointed out that despite substantial funding for education, the number of students in govt schools is declining. “While private schools begin from Nursery, LKG and UKG, govt schools start from class one. Those who enrol in private nursery schools do not return to govt institutions. Parents prefer private schools as they provide better attention. If govt schools can offer similar assurance, parents will enrol their children there, he said and advised that this factor should be considered in the formulation of the Telangana Education Policy.