Allocate 20% to education sector, give clarity on State Education Policy, civil society urges government

The State government must allocate a 20% budget to the education sector and immediately provide clarity on a comprehensive education policy, the Telangana Save Education Committee along with teachers and student associations demanded the government on Thursday.

The committee members met with Chairperson, Telangana High-Level Education Committee, K. Keshava Rao, to discuss various pressing issues concerning the State’s education sector.

It expressed concern that the State government has not yet issued a clear and comprehensive education policy. Instead, it has introduced initiatives such as the National Educaiton Policy 2020 proposals such as ‘Young India Integrated Schools’ and ‘Telangana Public Schools’ without offering any clarity. Coupled with a very low allocation of 8.2% of the total budget for education in the 2026-27 Budget, it has led to confusion among the public. And in this uncertain environment, the private education sector is expanding rapidly, and many families are struggling under the burden of high and unaffordable school fees, it pointed out.

In addition to immediate clarity and allocating 20% budget to the education sector, the committee noted that pre-primary classes must be introduced in all government primary schools and ensure effective monitoring by filling all vacant supervisory posts.

Relieving teachers from all non-academic duties, strictly regulating private and corporate schools, and avoiding contract-based employment practices must be given prirority for redressal.

The committee also opposes the establishment of U.K.-modeled private schools in Telangana and objected to key aspects of the NEP 2020, such as the four-year degree and multiple entry-exit system.

Instead, the State government must allocate substantial financial support of at least ₹100 crore to each university, grant Assistant Professor pay scales to contract lecturers, and fill up all vacant teaching and non-teaching positions.