Congress Govt will enhance reach, quality of education in Telangana: Uttam

HUZURNAGAR: Irrigation Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Sunday that the current Congress Government in Telangana was actively taking measures to enhance the reach and quality of education in the state. This involved a substantial increase in budgetary allocations and expenditures to reinforce and upgraded existing infrastructure with new facilities.

Addressing the Old Boys' reunion of Government High School in Huzurnagar on Sunday, Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized that schools were not mere physical structures; they were intertwined with emotions and childhood memories.

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"Schools serves as the breeding grounds where seeds develop into plants, ultimately growing into large trees. The time spent in schools remains etched in our memories, shaping who we become in the future and leaving a lasting impact on our lives. This included memories of school buildings, classrooms, playgrounds, and, most importantly, our teachers," he said.

Congratulating the organisers for successfully conducting the Old Boys' reunion, he said that such gatherings offered a unique opportunity for everyone to come together and reminisce about the best moments of their childhood spent in schools. Meeting schoolmates and recalling old days fosters a sense of nostalgia and camaraderie.

Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted that the Congress Government recognized the emotional value attached to schools and does not view them as lifeless physical structures. He said that efforts were being made to reopen government schools that were closed during the previous BRS regime, equipping them with modern infrastructure facilities.

The Minister emphasized that focusing on the education sector is key to the growth of any state. However, he pointed out that the education sector was neglected under the previous BRS regime, with a reduction in budgetary allocations year after year. In 2014-15, the allocation was 10.89 percent of the total budget, decreasing to 6.57 percent in 2023-24. Despite promises of KG to PG free education by the previous KCR Government, Telangana's spending on education remained the lowest among all states in the country. The Mana Ooru Mana Badi initiative was deemed an utter failure, receiving just Rs 300 crore.

Uttam Kumar Reddy affirmed that the Congress Government planned to systematically change the face of the entire education system in Telangana in a phased manner. The Congress party, in its manifesto for the Assembly elections, made several promises to improve the education sector, and he assured that all these promises would be fulfilled.

He said that the budget allocation for the education sector would be increased substantially. All vacant staff positions in educational institutions would be filled, and in every Mandal, an international school with modern facilities and infrastructure would be established, provided with free bus services. A vast network of schools and colleges will be established from the village to district levels to impart primary, secondary, and higher education.

Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the people to support the Congress Government in reviving and strengthening the education sector. He emphasized that every child should have access to quality education, regardless of their parents' financial stature. "As adults, it is our duty to provide children with the opportunity to go to school and create their own memories, driving their future success," he added.