Hyderabad: N. Ramchander Rao said the proposed Telangana Education Policy must prioritise literacy and guide students toward higher education. He also criticised the state government over alleged ideological influence in the draft framework.
Rao made the remarks during a round-table conference titled “Telangana Education System–2026.” The event was organised by the Forum for Nationalist Thinkers at the PGRRCDE Mini Conference Hall in Osmania University.
The BJP leader alleged that members of the State Education Commission were influenced by “Urban Naxal and Maoist ideologies.” Therefore, he questioned the direction of the Telangana Education Policy currently under discussion.
He also accused the Congress government in Telangana of attempting to introduce Leftist ideas through the policy. According to him, such an approach could harm students’ academic growth and future prospects.
Rao further said the education sector had already suffered neglect during the tenure of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi government. However, he argued that conditions had not improved under the present Indian National Congress administration.
He highlighted several issues affecting the sector. For example, he said many qualified B.Ed teachers lacked adequate employment opportunities. In addition, delays in salary payments and promotions had affected teacher morale.
Concerns raised over Telangana Education Policy and declining schools
Rao claimed that several government schools in rural areas were shutting down due to low enrolment and weak infrastructure. He cited official figures to support the claim.
According to him, the number of functioning government schools declined from 5,021 in the 2024–25 academic year to about 2,023 at present. Moreover, many schools across the state’s 33 districts reportedly had fewer than 10 students.
He warned that the education sector required urgent structural reforms under the Telangana Education Policy. He also blamed the state government for the deaths of 44 students in Gurukul schools due to food poisoning and demanded accountability.
Referring to the National Education Policy and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, Rao said both frameworks provided clear reform guidelines. Therefore, he urged the state government to implement them effectively.
He also emphasised the need to teach students in their mother tongue. At the same time, he said Indian cultural values must remain part of the education system and opposed removing Sanskrit from the curriculum.
Former Osmania University Vice-Chancellor T. Tirupati Rao also addressed the meeting. He said the commission’s recommendations appeared to create confusion rather than strengthen the education system.
Tirupati Rao added that nearly 80% of faculty posts in state universities remained vacant. Therefore, he urged the government to fill the positions immediately.
Former Telangana State Council for Higher Education chairman R. Limbadri also criticised the draft report. He said the recommendations lacked clarity and required urgent revision.
Participants at the meeting described teachers as “nation builders.” They also urged the government to implement the National Education Policy without delay.
