Hans News Service Khammam

Emphasisingthat education is the strongest tool for progress and social transformation, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu said the government is committed to ensuring access to quality education for every child.

Speaking at bicycle a distribution programme organised by the Amma Foundation for students of government schools and colleges at Bonakal and Errupalem mandal headquarters in Madhira constituency of Khammam district on Thursday, he said, “Education is the true weapon for progress. Only through education can we build an equal and ideal society without disparities.Highlighting the government’s focus on education, he said recent socio-economic, educational, employment and caste surveys indicate that sustainable development is possible only through strengthening the education sector.

The Deputy Chief Minister announced that the government will soon roll out a breakfast scheme benefiting around 20 lakh students in government schools from June 2, noting that “No child should attend school on an empty stomach as it affects their ability to learn”. He further said that free mid-day meals will also be extended to Intermediate students from the next academic year.

Stressing that the government is investing heavily in education, he said every child in the state should be provided opportunities to study as far as they wish and develop into high-quality human resources. He added that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is giving special emphasis to improving educational infrastructure and facilities.

Outlining key initiatives, Vikramarka said the government aims to ensure universal access to education by removing financial barriers and providing free, high-standard education comparable to corporate institutions.

He said construction of 100 “Young India Integrated Residential Schools” with international standards has been initiated, each with an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore across 20–25 acres, equipped with English-medium instruction, digital learning tools, sports infrastructure and residential facilities for staff.

In addition, the government plans to establish one “Telangana Public School” in each constituency from the upcoming academic year, totalling 119 schools. These semi-residential institutions will offer free transport, breakfast, nutritious supplements such as milk and ragi malt, mid-day meals, digital education, sports facilities and evening drop-offs for students. “These schools will be better than private institutions and help reduce the financial burden on poor and middle-class families,” he said.

At Errupalem, the Deputy Chief Minister said the state has allocated about 13.5 per cent of its budget to education, underlining the importance of students as the future of Telangana. He also noted that diet charges for students have been increased by 40 per cent and cosmetic charges by 200 per cent after the present government came to power.

He said the government would not hesitate to invest necessary resources to transform both natural and human capital into productive assets and called upon students to utilise the opportunities provided to excel in their studies.