Latest news with #YIIRS
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. terms BRS criticism of budget enhancement for Young India Integrated Residential Schools as politically motivated
The State Government has refuted allegations surrounding the enhancement of the Young India Integrated Residential Schools (YIIRS) budget, terming the criticism both baseless and politically-motivated. The officials said that the objective of establishing YIIRS was to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and high-quality teaching and learning equipment to students, most of whom come from disadvantaged and rural areas. The new residential complexes are designed to accommodate up to 2,650 students and will include modern boarding facilities, residential quarters for teaching and non-teaching staff, and sports facilities that meet international standards. Purpose-built campuses Officials highlighted that the government inherited from the previous administration nearly 600 residential schools operating out of private buildings, many of which lack basic amenities. It is imperative to move these schools into purpose-built campuses to provide a safe and conducive environment for learning. The architectural plan for each YIIRS covers a total built-up area of 5.36 lakh square feet, featuring Four academic blocks (G+2 floors) – 1,60,339 sq. ft.m Six dormitory blocks (G+3 floors) – 2,57,451 sq. ft., Dining cum kitchen block (G+1 floors) – 41,860 sq. ft., Principal quarters (4 units of 3 BHK, G+1 floors) – 7,483 sq. ft., Staff quarters (48 units of 2 BHK, G+3 floors) – 61,378 sq. ft. and Additional quarters (8 units of 1 BHK, G+1 floor) – 7,324 sq. ft. Transparent process Responding to allegations of cost escalation, the government clarified that all project estimates have been meticulously prepared using standard engineering designs and scheduled rates. The per square foot construction cost for the YIIRS is ₹3,730, significantly lower than the rates fixed for Integrated District Office Complexes (IDOC) during the previous BRS regime. During the BRS regime, the cost was Siddipet IDOC: ₹4,058/sq. ft., Sircilla IDOC: ₹4,990/sq. ft., Mulugu IDOC: ₹3,994/sq. ft. and Warangal East IDOC: ₹4,875/sq. ft. This proves beyond doubt that the claims of inflated costs are baseless. The construction cost under the current government is more economical than the projects approved two years ago under the previous administration, an official said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Only sufficient budget can save government school education system'
Leaders and voluntary organisations on Tuesday said that only sufficient budget allocation can save the public-school education system amid a declining enrolment trend in government schools in the State. A roundtable organised by Telangana People's Joint Action Committee (TPJAC) deliberated on the issues and challenges being faced by government schools and called for a comprehensive education legislation. 'Starting from age three to 18, the government must address pre-primary school and intermediate education needs. Then, on the lines of Kendriya Vidyalayas, a student must be able to pursue KG to 12 from the same school,' national convenor of MV Foundation R. Venkat Reddy said. TPJAC co-convenor Kanneganti Ravi, citing 2023-24 school data, said 'There were 28,856 schools (70.5%) government schools with 19,40,964 children enrolled (39%). Schools with a single teacher were 4,235 (23%) and schools with below 50 students were 13,930 (76%). On the other hand, there were 12,022 (29.4%) private schools and they had 36,35,898 (61%) students. And in 2024-25, 1,789 government schools were closed.' If the government is not bothered about schools being shut, if parents, teachers and citizens are not worried, and if no corrective actions are taken now – there will be no government schools in the future, the TPJAC leaders noted. The government's flagship programmes such as Young India Integrated Residential Schools (YIIRS) are not an answer to improving the system but taking care of existing schools and reopening schools that are closed, they said. Another leader K. Ravi Chander, citing 1,023 gurukul institutions in the State, said the YIIRS as an idea must be withdrawn. 'At ₹200 crore for YIIRS per Assembly constituency, or ₹23,800 crore, 700 residential institutions operating on rental basis can have their own buildings. Instead, the various gurukuls such as SC, BC, ST, Minorities and General can be renamed YIIRS, and all the 1,023 institutions must be administered by one management with unified rules'. According to retired teacher Y. Ashok Kumar, the education budget allocated by the Congress government in 2025-26 is ₹23,108 crore or 7.75% of the total estimate, which is ₹1,816 crore more than the previous year. But the Congress party rallied and promised a 15% education budget. MLC Kodandaram, in a brief address, said the government considers budget for education as an investment and initiatives such as the Telangana Education Commission were in a positive direction. The TPJAC had been gathering reactions from parents, teachers and public using Google Forms about their perception towards government schools and the declining enrolment. It proposes to submit its report along with people's perceptions to the government.
