Hapless parents from various corners of Telangana never expected that their experience of educating their child would make them rebel against the system. If some had a problem with the exorbitant fees, then few were vexed with the autocratic functioning of private schools.
Some shared horror tales of how schools were managed by “illiterates” or government schools converted to corporate ones overnight.
The public hearing on ‘Regulation of Fee in Private Educational Institutions and Strengthening of Government Schools’, organised by Telangana Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), gave a platform to more than 100 parents to voice their opinion against the system.
“The situation is very bad in slums and lower economic colonies. People cannot even manage three square meals a day but are sending their children to private schools by paying huge sums,” said a parent and activist Rajesh, who had done a survey on schools in Hyderabad.
“The teaching quality is not up to the mark.The fact is there is no authority in place to monitor private schools.”
Another parent, Rishikeshwar Raju said, “During the time of recognition, private schools inform the government regarding their fee structure. But after that, they hike the fees without any reason. All this is happening because of corruption within.”
Another parent, Saroja, who lives in Musheerabad said, “My son studies in a government school. He is not learning anything there as the teachers do not take any interest. The school is not well maintained and he keeps falling sick. I want to make my son an engineer but I do not think it’s possible till we send him to a private institution.”
A parents’ union backed by the Telangana AAP was formed at the event to fight for the fulfilment of demands to improve the education system.
Some of the demands, include implementing Government Order no. 42 from the current academic year to regulate fees, complying with the Right To Education Act, removing monopoly of purchasing school uniforms, books and other educational aid from private schools, appointing a Commission with independent charge to monitor the functioning of private schools, make parents stakeholders in various educational decisions of the government and others.
R. Venkat Reddy, convenor, Telangana AAP, said that focus will now be on forming parents’ union committees at the district level and organising protest programmes regularly to put pressure on the government.
P.L. Vishweshwar Rao, spokesperson of Telangana AAP, said that they aim to have a common school system in future based on geographical boundaries that would not discriminate between students based on economic class.
Some share horror tales of how schools were managed by “illiterates” or government schools converted to corporate ones
