Teachers Must Be Partners In Social Change, Says Bhatti

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday called upon teachers to go beyond classroom teaching and become active partners in social development by understanding the family and social circumstances of their students.

Addressing the education Cconference of the School Teachers Federation (STF) here, Bhatti said education was the key to social transformation. The Congress government was committed to taking Telangana to a level where its youth could compete not only with those from other states but also with students of developed countries, he said.

Bhatti assured teachers that their issues would be considered positively and urged them to create awareness about the government’s reforms. STF president Devarakonda Saidulu, general secretary Pochayya, former MLA Kichanna Lakshmi Reddy and Professor Vishweshwar Rao were among those present at the conference.

Bhatti said a child’s development depended not only on lessons taught in school but also on the home environment, nutritious food, family income and social background. Teachers should therefore guide students and parents on welfare schemes and ensure eligible families receive the benefits.

Recalling that the STF was founded during the tenure of late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy with a similar social vision, he urged teachers to continue serving as guides to families and society.

Bhatti said the government had strengthened public education after a survey established that education was the most effective route to progress. He said thousands of teachers had received promotions, about 11,000 posts had been filled and transfers were given to nearly 35,000 teachers.

Highlighting the government’s education initiatives, he said 105 Young India Integrated Residential Schools had been approved across the state. Each school, to be built on 20–25 acres at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore, would offer education, accommodation, sports and co-curricular facilities with international standards. The schools would bring children from all communities together and promote equality.

He said around 100 Telangana Public Schools would follow a semi-residential model, providing transport, uniforms, textbooks, breakfast and lunch, while allowing children to return home in the evening.

The government has been serving breakfast to about 27 lakh students through centralised kitchens, besides increasing diet charges in residential schools by 40 per cent and cosmetic charges by 200 per cent. Welfare measures such as Indiramma Indlu housing assistance, free electricity, fine rice and pensions would help children study without household burdens, he said.