Two months into the new academic year, children attending government schools in the twin cities are yet to get textbooks, uniforms, and basic amenities. The government says it does not have the funds to buy textbooks for primary and high schools. Ramesh Goud, secretary of the AP Upadhyaya Sangam, claimed that not a single government primary or high school in Secunderabad mandal had received books and uniforms so far.
“Whenever we question the district education officer regarding books, he keeps postponing the date of distribution,” Mr Goud said. The schools are understaffed too. M. Ravinder, general secretary of the AP Teachers’ Federation, asserted there are just “a handful of staff members, especially at Marredpally, Kacheguda and Bhoiguda high schools. Most of the posts are vacant.” Complaints have been pouring in regarding the lack of basic amenities for students. K. Madhusudan, teacher at the Government Girls’ High School at Marredpally, said: “No effort has been made to improve the infrastructure or the sanitation, no proper drinking water and toilet facilities have been provided.”
It is a devastating critique of the condition of government-run schools and the low priority set by the government for children’s education. District education officer Subba Reddy has said the distribution of all high school and primary school textbooks is in process. Third language books are yet to be distributed. All 650 government schools in the twin cities will receive the books this month. The uniforms, though, would take some more time “as we are yet to receive funds.”