Inexperienced staff hit schools in Tirumala

 

Seven schools in Tirumala are facing severe regular staff crunch in spite of being run by the India's richest and biggest religious institution TTD. 

For instance, SV High School which had rendered yeoman services for more than 130 years in Tirupati.  Chinna Swamy who had rendered services as financial advisor to Indian government, Maa Telugu Thalliki Malle Poodanda fame Sankarambadi Sundaracharyulu, Sarvey-palli Radhakrishnan, the first vice-president of India and other prestigious Bharat Ratna awardees were among some of the students. 

 

The Sri Venkateswara high school which had 150-160 regular teaching staff in 1992 now has only two regular teachers, one headmaster and one drawing teacher. The school is now running with only unqualified teachers on contract basis.

 

It had more than 2000 students in 1999-2005 and later this number saw a gradual decline. Now, the students' strength in the school is only 500 from 250 this year. 

Sources in TTD said, the TTD officials did not fill the vacancies due to retirement of teachers since 1998 and now there are only two teachers.

 

SV High School headmaster K. Krishna Murthy said admissions have been increasing compared to last year. He added that out of 190 applications, 150 were from students who earlier have been studying in private schools.

 

He said it is a good sign for reviving past glory if permanent staff is appointed. All TTD run schools are also facing the same problem. TTD officials should put in more efforts to appoint good trained staff but so far that has not happened. TTD district educational officer Vijaya Kumar is not available for his comments.