Residential Schools in Telangana Face Official Neglect

While the education department remains fragmented in its jurisdiction, it also uses this as a reason to evade responsibility for taking any action.

"The school education department has only 34 schools under its purview," said Naveen Nicolas, director of school education. The majority of schools are said to be run by the social welfare department, followed by the tribal welfare and minority welfare departments. Apart from this, the government also runs Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) schools.

All schools that operate as ‘residential’— i.e., that require students to stay away from their families in hostels — have reported food poisoning cases in the past year.

The TGWREIS department claimed that there have been no cases in their schools this year. The tribal welfare department claimed that it witnessed only three so far. "This is the first case this year. Last year, we had only two: one in Tandur and another in Wankidi, Kumaram Bheem," said V. Sarveshwar Reddy, additional director, tribal welfare department.

However, the data shows that both departments have reported several food poisoning incidents as well as deaths.

According to an independent study conducted by a scientist at IICT, more than 500 students have been affected by food poisoning in Telangana within the span of two years — from September 2023 to July 2024.

"The situation is very bad in residential schools. While all states are experiencing this situation, Telangana’s frequency reflects glaring apathy on the part of officials and the government," said K. Nagaiah, scientist at IICT, who conducted the study along with Prof. G. Srimannarayana, a retired professor from the department of chemistry, Osmania University, who has since passed away.

The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged in November last year that around 886 students fell sick due to food poisoning in 38 residential schools after the Congress government came to power in the state, indicating the level of “apathy and indifference.” State general secretary K. Venkateshwarlu alleged that there had been 51 student deaths in the past year — four due to food poisoning, 14 due to ill health, 10 under suspicious circumstances, and 23 from other causes.

Even the High Court slammed the government in November after the Maganoor Zilla Parishad School in Narayanpet witnessed three food poisoning incidents within a single week. "What were the officials doing when the same school witnessed food poisoning thrice in a single week?" the judicial bench asked Additional Advocate General Mohammed Imran Khan, who appeared for the government.

A few days ago, a 16-year-old student, C. Shailaja, succumbed after a food poisoning incident at the tribal welfare residential school in Wankidi Mandal of Kumaram Bheem Asifabad district.

In November, the government-appointed task force’s report recommended strict food safety and hygiene measures in government residential schools. Cooks must wear protective gear. Potable water must be used for cooking and cleaning, with monthly cleaning of tanks and sumps. Fresh ingredients such as vegetables and eggs should be regularly procured and properly stored. Rice and dal must be washed thoroughly, and only fully cooked meals should be served. Outside food vendors should be banned, and both staff and students must follow hand hygiene. Kitchens and dining areas must meet hygiene standards, and food procurement should be centralised under TGEWIDC for quality and efficiency.

The report also enforced a stringent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for food preparation and serving. The SOP mandated thorough hygiene guidelines, such as ensuring vegetables do not touch the ground, prohibiting the reuse of leftover food, and maintaining strict standards for storage and cooking. Along with this, a 'New Common Diet Menu' was also launched on December 14 to improve meal quality in residential schools. This included a 40 per cent increase in diet charges and a 200 per cent hike in cosmetic charges.

"We have circulated the SOPs among all schools under our purview," said Sarveshwar Reddy. "We have ensured inspections at both the institutional and district levels, but some unprecedented incidents do happen. We have employed around 3,070 staff across 320 ashram schools. We have also changed the utensils and provided training to the kitchen staff on hygiene and safety. We are following the safety recommendations provided by the task force," he added.

Timeline

January 2025

22 students from Dhanwada Government Boys’ High School, Narayanpet.

12 students from the Tribal Welfare Girls' Ashram School, Girinagar, Suryapet.

December 2024 

Around 15 girls from Tribal Welfare Ashram School in Tandur were affected by food poisoning.

Around 33 girls from Nagaram Minority Gurukulam in Medchal-Malkajgiri were affected.

The new menu was launched in schools.

November 2024

Around 11 students from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya fell sick due to food poisoning.

Around 14 students from Mancherial Ashram School, run by the Tribal Welfare Department, reported food poisoning.

Three incidents between November 21 and 26 at Maganoor Zilla Parishad High School, Narayanpet, with around 30 students affected.

October 2024

Around 60 students of Ashram School, Wankidi, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, were affected; three admitted to NIMS. One student, C. Shailaja, died.

August 2024

40 boys from a minority English medium school in Jadcherla experienced vomiting and stomach pain.

16 girls at a residential school in Nagarkurnool were hospitalised.

July 2024

Lizard found in Telangana Model School, Ramayampet.

Raw rice contaminated with insects at SC & ST Hostel, Medak.

May 2024

Five students fell ill in the Social Welfare School near Jangaon.

April 2024

16 female students from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya reported food poisoning.

A sixth-grade boy died at a Social Welfare Residential School in Bhuvanagiri; students from fifth and sixth grades in a boys’ hostel reported food poisoning.