TPF Launches Education Bus Yatra Demanding Law on Private Fees, 18% Budget Share

Hyderabad: The Telangana People’s Front (TPF) launched an education bus yatra on Tuesday seeking laws to regulate private school and junior college fees, strengthen government schools and guarantee 18 per cent of the state Budget for education.

The campaign will run till September 27 during which the team plans to visit government schools, meet parents and conduct district-level round-table meetings.

Sangeetha and Padmasri of Pathasala Sadhana Samithi and Balala Hakkula Parirakshana Vedika flagged off the yatra. They said continued neglect of government schools had pushed parents towards private schools has left families to bear high fees and other education expenses.

They called for government schools to be restored “on a war footing” and provided adequate facilities, teachers and a better learning environment.

The TPF said the law to regulate and monitor fees charged by private schools and junior colleges should prevent arbitrary fee increases and excessive charges imposed on parents. Its second demand was for a law to strengthen public education through well-equipped schools that, it said, should provide quality education and attract children from all sections of society.

The third demand was for a legislation that would guarantee 18 per cent of the State Budget for education every year

Akunuri Murali, former chairman of Telangana Education Commission (TEC), spoke to the media about the need for legislative and policy action on private education costs and public schooling. Dr M.V. Reddy, a former IAS officer, introduced TPF at the launch, while Srujana Yadav explained the purpose of the yatra.

During the yatra, TPF members will interact with communities and organise round-table discussions with parents of children in government and private schools. The organisation asked parents, teachers, educationists, civil society groups and citizens to take part in district discussions.