Teachers must be partners in social development: Deputy CM

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday, November 15, urged teachers to look beyond classroom instruction and play an active role in social development by understanding their students’ backgrounds and circumstances.

Bhatti Vikramarka was speaking at the State Education Conference of the School Teachers Federation (STF) at the Engineering Association Building in Khairatabad.

Education top priority

The Deputy Chief Minister said that a survey conducted after the Congress took charge had established that education was the most effective means of bringing progress. The government then decided to strengthen the public education system.

He said the government had prioritised resolving teachers’ long-standing issues by granting promotions, filling around 11,000 vacancies and transferring 30,000 to 35,000 teachers.

The government is setting up Young India Integrated Residential Schools to bring public education infrastructure in line with international standards, he said. Each school is being built on 20 to 25 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore.

These schools will provide education, accommodation, sports facilities and other co-curricular activities in accordance with international standards. Residential facilities will also be provided for both teaching and non-teaching staff.

Common environment for all children

Earlier, separate residential schools existed for SC, ST, BC and OC communities. Instead of continuing a system that divided children along social lines from childhood, the government wanted students from all communities to study together in an inclusive environment. This vision led to the establishment of Young India Integrated Residential Schools.

He explained that the schools were named after Mahatma Gandhi’s publication Young India, which played an important role in spreading national consciousness among people during the freedom movement.

The Deputy Chief Minister said Telangana Public Schools were also being introduced with the objective of providing quality education while preserving family relationships, values and emotional bonds. The government has decided to establish around 100 schools under a semi-residential model.

This arrangement will enable children to spend quality time with their parents and learn family values, cultural traditions and social responsibilities while receiving quality education.

He said the government was providing breakfast to approximately 27 lakh students across the state through highly hygienic centralised kitchens. Providing quality breakfast to such a large number of students within a limited time was a challenging task, but the government was implementing the programme effectively.

Aid under Indiramma Indlu scheme

The government believes that students should have a peaceful and conducive environment at home to continue their studies after returning from school, he said. As part of this vision, financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh per house is being provided to eligible poor families under the Indiramma Indlu scheme.

He said approvals had been granted for eight lakh houses so far, and construction-related payments were being released to beneficiaries every month. The government is also providing 200 units of free electricity.

Teachers as guides

Bhatti Vikramarka said teachers should emerge not merely as government employees but as guides and catalysts of social transformation. Along with imparting education, they should also work towards eliminating inequalities and addressing social problems.

Former MLA Kichanna Lakshmi Reddy, STF State President Devarakonda Saidulu, General Secretary Pochayya, Professor Vishweshwar Rao and others participated in the programme.

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