Revanth Reddy seeks probe on private universities for not observing rule of SC,ST reservation

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has expressed concern about private universities operating in the State without implementing reservations for Scheduled Castes(SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), stating that it is against the constitution. He directed the authorities to conduct a detailed investigation into the guidelines of these private universities.

Revanth Reddy highlighted that it was a constitutional obligation for universities to provide reservation for SC and ST students and stated that the State Government was prepared to pass a law in the Assembly if required to ensure reservation was implemented in private universities.

The officials have been instructed to provide a report on various aspects including permissions, guidelines, facilities provided by the Government, number of students, fees charged, fee reimbursement, teaching staff, and non-teaching staff in private universities. The aim was to assess how private universities were providing quality education without adequate facilities and qualified staff.

The Chief Minister also ordered a report on the land registered for house plots, particularly if these plots were given permission to be used by private universities. He said that the inquiry would also focus on the type of education being offered in such places. The Chief Minister expressed concern over the difficulties faced by many people when universities were permitted to operate on disputed lands that were registered as house plots.

Revanth Reddy emphasised the challenges faced by students in the previous academic year due to a college case where admissions were conducted without the university's permission. He subsequently ordered a comprehensive investigation into the funds utilised under the Mana Ooru-Mana Badi programme, which used funds from the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

Speaking at a review meeting on the education department on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that every panchayat in Telangana should have a school no matter how small or remote a village was and called for reopening of schools that were closed due to low student attendance. Hr stated that Government schools should continue to operate regardless of the number of children enrolled.

Revanth Reddy ordered immediate steps to be taken to address the shortage of teachers by conducting the Mega DSC (District Selection Committee) to recruit teachers. He also instructed the completion of all remaining work in the Mana Ooru, Mana Badi program, with the goal of improving the standard of schools in the State.

The Chief Minister addressed the issues surrounding promotions and transfers of teachers and directed officials to hold discussions with teachers' union representatives to find alternative solutions.

Revanth Reddy also announced the establishment of skill universities in ten erstwhile districts of the State. He emphasised the importance of these universities in providing skill-based education and training for industrial needs and advised officials to study existing skill universities in other States like Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to gather ideas.

He directed the Chief Secretary to form a special committee with the officials of the education department and industries department to prepare suitable proposals for the establishment of skill universities in nine districts, including the Kodangal constituency. On this occasion, the Chief Minister distributed free laptops to students at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge and Technology in Basara.