Telangana students’ body recommends 20% allocation for education in State budget

Hyderabad: The Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) recommended allocating at least 20 per cent of the Telangana State budget to education to address gaps in infrastructure and skill training, resulting in poor educational output.

Referring to the ASER-2024 report, the members of the SIO said that the budget allocation is important to overcome data such as 18 per cent of Classes III-V students reading at Class II-level text, and just 49 per cent being able to perform basic subtraction.

“Education is the backbone of any progressive society and the allocation of at least 20 per cent of the State budget towards education is not just a recommendation but a necessity,” said state president of SIO Telangana, Faraz Ahmed.

SIO held a press conference on Wednesday and released a booklet offering budget recommendations for FY’25-26, focusing on education and youth welfare. “The booklet critically examines gaps in infrastructure, accessibility and youth development, while proposing constructive, forward-looking solutions,” the public note from the organisation read.

‘Insufficient skill development leading to unemployment’

The organisation said their analysis highlighted issues such as chronic underfunding in education, inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages and alarming dropout rates.

They demanded a change in educational policies with the current fragmented laws only leading to potential in the youth being squandered due to ‘insufficient skill development programs and limited mental health support.’

“Telangana’s youth unemployment rate stands at 16.6 per cent, significantly above the national average of 10.2 per cent. The booklet calls for targeted investments in skill-building, mental health frameworks and entrepreneurship programs to empower youth,” SIO members said.

Digital divide and incomplete fee reimbursements

Talking to the media, the SIO members explained the digital divide among the students, revealed especially during the pandemic, that has resulted in inequality in knowledge building and job opportunities.

They said that around 32 per cent of government school students have no access to online education and it is important that the government ‘expand digital infrastructure, subsidise internet access and integrate technology-driven learning modules.’

Speaking about the delay in fee reimbursements, the SIO members said, “Despite allocating Rs 300 crore for Tuition Fee Reimbursement (RTF) in 2024-25, only Rs 41.86 crore has been spent, with over 1.2 lakh applications pending. This disrupts academic continuity, especially for minority students. SIO Telangana urges a transparent, time-bound scholarship disbursement process aligned with academic calendars.”

‘Infrastructure Revival Mission’

The student organisation called for an ‘Infrastructure Revival Mission’ to ensure basic facilities and promote gender-friendly environments in schools and colleges. “Infrastructure deficits in government schools, with 26 per cent lacking furniture and only 53 per cent having separate toilets for girls, also demand urgent attention,” the SIO members said.

They also said that 73 per cent of university teaching posts remain vacant, compromising academic quality.

“Our demands are rooted in the ground realities faced by students and youth across Telangana. The government must ensure that budgetary allocations reflect the urgent needs of education and youth welfare, bridging gaps in access, quality and equity to secure a brighter future for all,” said state secretary of SIO Telangana, Mohd Hammaduddin.