HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said that the government would invest Rs 5,000 crore to construct Young India Integrated Residential Schools (YIIRS) in all Assembly constituencies. The foundation stones will be laid on October 11 for the schools to be established on a pilot basis in a few constituencies, he disclosed while unveiling the concept of YIIRS along with R&B Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar.
The schools would have students belonging to SC, ST, BC and other sections of society, he said and added: “Our government believes that education is the great equaliser. By integrating SC, ST, BC and minority students under one roof, we will be erasing the lines that divide our society.”
Addressing the media on the occasion, Vikramarka described the move as a milestone in the education sector. “To enable Telangana children to compete at the global level, the government is giving priority to the education sector. Education of international standards will be imparted to students up to Class 12 with English as a medium of instruction,” he explained.
“District collectors have been instructed to acquire 25 acres in each constituency. So far, land has been acquired in 20–22 constituencies,” he said, adding that YIIRS will be sanctioned in a phased manner in all Assembly segments. The construction of each YIIRS would cost Rs 25 crore, he said.
He further elaborated that the construction of these schools would be taken up in such a way as to utilise green energy and also enable students of all sections of society to study together as a family. “Sports and recreational facilities will also be provided in these schools so that the students can study in a stress-free academic environment. The government will also build theatres to screen films through satellite channels to ensure the students are not deprived of entertainment.”
Expressing concern over the present condition of residential schools in the state, Vikramarka observed: “Many residential schools are being run in rented buildings and function halls. The students in many of these schools are suffering due to lack of basic facilities like toilets. Our government is committed to providing quality education to the poor.”
He said that out of the total 1,023 residential schools in the state, 662 do not have own buildings.
Many schools lack own buildings
“Out of 327 BC Welfare Residential Schools, 306; 135 out of 262 Social Welfare Residential Schools; 42 out of 185 Tribal Welfare Residential Schools; and 179 of 205 Minority Residential Welfare Schools are being run in rented buildings,” he said.
Alleging that the previous BRS government had spent only Rs 73 crore on residential schools, the deputy CM said that without proper infrastructure and enough teaching staff, quality education cannot be provided to children. Describing the conditions prevailing in the existing residential schools as extremely deplorable, R&B Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said that 20 students were crammed in a single room equipped with only one bathroom. He added that the proposed Young India Integrated Residential Schools are a Dasara gift to students from the government.
He accused the previous BRS government of neglecting the education sector for 10 years. Pointing out that the Congress government has allocated Rs 20,000 crore to the education sector, the minister appealed to opposition parties to welcome the move.
Terming the decision revolutionary, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that the government is aiming to start classes in these schools by the next academic year.