Telangana to set up 100 schools; introduce breakfast program for students up to class 12

HYDERABAD : Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced plans to set up 100 Telangana Public Schools across the state.

He also announced to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the school curriculum.

The announcement came during a comprehensive review of the Education Department held at the Command Control Center, where the CM emphasized that government institutions must become "role models" for quality education, rivaling corporate standards.

A New Standard for Public Schooling

The 100 new schools will be established as a pilot project—one in every Assembly constituency outside of Hyderabad. These institutions are modeled after the successful Arutla Public School in the Rangareddy district.

Key features of these schools will include:

Infrastructure: Modern "teaching-friendly" classrooms and dedicated sports grounds.

Logistics: Dedicated transport facilities for students to ensure easy access.

Upgrades: 164 existing schools will be upgraded, with 17 specifically targeted within the Core Urban Region Economy (CURE) area to be completed within one year.

The Digital Shift: AI and Technical Training

Recognizing the global shift toward automation, CM Reddy instructed officials to provide AI education at the school level.

Teacher Training: Short-term AI training sessions will be organized for teachers and lecturers to keep them abreast of technological changes.

Curriculum Reform: Polytechnic colleges and Advanced Training Centers (ATCs) have been ordered to scrap outdated courses in favor of AI-based programs that guarantee immediate industrial employment.

Student Welfare: Breakfast and Essential Kits

Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, the government will introduce a free breakfast program for students from Primary to Class 12. "Along with breakfast, milk must be provided to every student," the CM stated, directing that all milk be sourced from the government-owned Vijaya Dairy.

Additionally, the state will provide a comprehensive "New Kit" to students, including uniforms, bags, shoes, socks, dictionaries, and geometry boxes.

Policy and Regulation

The meeting also marked the submission of two major reports:

Telangana Education Policy: Education Commission Chairman Akunuri Murali submitted a report based on global best practices studied in the US, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

Fee Regulation: The Private Schools Fee Regulatory Monitoring Commission briefed the CM on national policies.

In response, the CM proposed a committee led by a retired judge or the chief secretary to finalize fee structures. To ensure transparency, the draft policy will be placed in the public domain for feedback from parents and intellectuals.

Funding for Universities

Following a recent Rs. 1,000 crore allocation to Osmania University, the CM directed Higher Education Board Chairman, Professor Balkishta Reddy, to submit a detailed report on the funding requirements for all other state universities.

Government Advisor Dr. Kesava Rao has been entrusted with drafting the necessary legislation to bring these sweeping reforms into legal effect.