Revanth: Upgrade govt schools as semi-residential schools within three years

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday announced plans to upgrade government schools as semi-residential schools in the next three years. This is part of the Congress government's policy to strengthen and streamline the residential schools structure.

Residential schools are currently being run separately for students from Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities communities. Reddy is keen on integrated residential school campuses, which offer education for all castes and religions on a single campus. This will develop a competitive spirit among the students and eliminate discrimination on the basis of caste and religion.

He instructed secretary (education) Burra Venkatesham to prepare plans to strengthen government schools within three years. He directed officials to come up with constructive proposals to open semi-residential schools along with integrated residential schools.

Revanth Reddy asked the education department to prepare proposals to provide education up to third standard in anganwadi centres on the lines of play schools. He suggested recruitment of one additional teacher in anganwadi centres. Arrangements should be made to provide educational facilities to all students in their native villages, he said.

He also asked for plans to establish semi-residential schools that offer education up to fourth standard in the first phase. Transport facilities should be provided for students of all such institutions, Reddy said.

Officials have been asked to seek opinions of educational experts and prepare plans to take up the pilot project in one or two mandals. Apart from government allocations, make appropriate use of CSR funds to upgrade schools with better facilities for students, who should be assured of quality education, the Chief Minister said.