Telangana Minister Vivek Venkataswamy Highlights Major Education Reforms
Minister Vivek Venkataswamy highlights breakfast schemes, teacher recruitment, and Young India schools to boost Telangana's education sector.
Telangana Minister Vivek Venkataswamy has detailed a series of ambitious initiatives designed to overhaul the state's education sector. From nutritional support through breakfast and midday meal programmes to massive infrastructure projects like Young India schools, the government is focusing on strengthening public education and enhancing employability for students.
Nutrition and Enrolment Boost
A cornerstone of the current administration's strategy is the integration of nutrition with learning. Speaking on the impact of recent schemes, the Minister noted that the breakfast programme, which he recently inaugurated in Medak district, has received overwhelming praise from students for its food quality.
Key details of the nutritional rollout include:
- Scale of Impact: Nearly 20 lakh students across the state are set to benefit from the midday meal scheme.
- Expansion: The programme has been extended to cover students up to Class 12.
- Financial Commitment: The state government has allocated Rs 927 crore to provide breakfast and milk to students in government schools.
Minister Venkataswamy emphasized that these nutritional schemes are not just about health, but also about increasing school attendance. He noted that providing quality meals would encourage more parents to enrol their children in government-run institutions, thereby increasing overall student strength.
Massive Infrastructure and Teacher Recruitment
To address the quality of instruction and facilities, the Congress government has moved swiftly on human resources and physical infrastructure. The Minister revealed that the government has already recruited 10,000 teachers since coming to power to ensure that faculty shortages in government schools are addressed.
The government is also making a significant investment in high-quality schooling through several new models:
- Young India Schools: The state plans to establish 219 Young India schools, with an estimated investment of Rs 200 crore for each institution.
- Constituency-Level Schools: A Telangana Public School is planned for every single Assembly constituency.
- Residential Schools: An initial phase of 105 Young India Integrated Residential Schools is being developed with a massive investment of approximately Rs 21,000 crore, aimed at accommodating 2.70 lakh students.
Focus on Skills and Future Employment
Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between education and the job market, the state is pivoting towards technical expertise. The government is in the process of setting up 119 Advanced Technology Centres. These centres are being created by converting existing ITIs to focus on innovation and high-demand skills.
"The Congress government is setting up 119 advanced technology centres, providing an opportunity for students to develop skills and secure jobs immediately," the Minister stated.
This push for skill-based learning is part of a larger vision for the state. According to Venkataswamy, these measures are integral to the "Telangana Rising" roadmap, a comprehensive plan aimed at driving the state's development toward the year 2047.