TPF roundtable in Khammam pushes for stronger public education in Telangana

The Telangana People's Front (TPF) convened a roundtable meeting in Khammam town on Wednesday to examine the mounting challenges confronting public education in the State, as part of its 12-day Vidya Bus Yatra that got under way on Tuesday.

Representatives of teachers' unions, activists and educationists met the TPF team, which was led by Akunuri Murali, former chairperson of the Telangana Education Commission. The discussion covered a range of measures aimed at strengthening the public education system and tackling the rising costs of private schooling and higher education.

Participants underlined the need to build broad public awareness and generate demand for quality public education that remains accessible to all. The meeting urged targeted government action to upgrade government schools through adequate infrastructure, essential facilities, sufficient teaching staff and a learning environment conducive to study.

Speakers argued that revitalising government schools would both raise educational standards and address concerns over private education in the State. A robust public education system, they said, could also enable more effective regulation of private educational institutions.

Ahead of the roundtable, TPF committee members spent Tuesday night at the government school in Ellanna Nagar, Khammam, and interacted with local residents the next morning.

The yatra was launched on Tuesday with three demands: setting up Telangana Public Schools on the Arutla model in every mandal of the State, regulating fees in private schools and junior colleges, and allocating 18% of the State's annual budget to education. The committee is scheduled to tour 10 districts until September 27.