T.Chiranjeevulu, IAS Ret
In Telangana, particularly in the capital city of Hyderabad, the education system has undergone rampant privatization over the past four decades. Approximately one lakh crore worth of business takes place annually, spanning primary education to intermediate and degree levels. Despite the numerical presence of government educational institutions, student enrollments in these institutions are steadily declining. Meanwhile, private educational institutions have been rapidly expanding.
State of Government Schools
At the time of Telangana’s formation in 2014, there were approximately 28,000 government schools across the state, which reduced to 26,000 by 2023. There are 1,231 welfare residential schools.
Over the past five years, student enrollment in government schools has dropped by about 20%-30%, falling to 27 lakh in 2014.
Rise of Private Schools
During the same period, the number of private schools increased to 10,000.
In Hyderabad district, over 70% of students are enrolled in private primary and secondary schools, with 51.18% in the private sector.
Intermediate Level
According to Telangana Intermediate Board data, in 2023, only 23% of students were enrolled in government junior colleges, while 77% studied in private colleges.
Prominent corporate colleges (like Narayana and Sri Chaitanya) charge fees ranging from ₹1.2 lakh to ₹2 lakh per student.
Higher Education (Degree, Engineering, Medical)
The state has 146 government degree colleges, compared to over 620 private degree colleges.
Of the total 8,000 MBBS seats in 2024, only 2,700 are in government colleges, with the rest in private institutions.
Private medical seat fees range from ₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore, while government college fees are between ₹50,000–₹70,000.
Analysis
Financial Burden: The expansion of private educational institutions has forced middle-class families to take loans to afford education. Some statistics suggest that private education costs consume up to half of a family’s income.
Social Inequality: This situation further marginalizes socially oppressed groups (SC, ST, BC) from education. As these groups rely heavily on government education, the weakening of the public system disproportionately harms them. Many BC students are unable to pursue higher education due to inadequate fee reimbursement.
Government Neglect: Teacher shortages, lack of infrastructure, school mergers, lack of regulation, teacher unions, and political interference have eroded public trust in government education, strengthening the private sector.
Ethical-Political Risk: Viewing education as a profit-making venture has turned it into a commodity rather than a fundamental right. This threatens social equality. Without strengthening government education, social justice is undermined.
Solutions
- Enhance infrastructure in government schools.
- Fill teacher vacancies.
- Increase public funding.
- Regulate the private sector effectively.
Without such policy changes, sustaining the public education system will become impossible. The lack of government oversight has allowed private institutions to charge exorbitant fees, unmatched anywhere else in India. Some private schools charge up to ₹10 lakh for LKG and UKG admissions, a level of exploitation unseen elsewhere. These institutions, predominantly controlled by dominant castes, operate with impunity, exploiting public resources while the government remains passive.
Prominent Private Educational Institutions and Their Leadership
- Sri Chaitanya Institutions – Dr. B.S. Rao (Kamma)
- Narayana Institutions – Punnuru Narayana (Kapu)
- Oakridge Institutions – Shantabanu (Reddy)
- Indus International School – Prabhakar Reddy (Reddy)
- Srinidhi Public School – Reddy
- Meridian Public School – BC
- Silver Oak School – Gopal Krishnarao (Kamma)
- Rockwood International School – M. Raman Naidu (Kamma)
- Delhi Public School (Franchise) – Malka Komuraiah (Munnuru Kapu)
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Public School – Society
- Jubilee Hills Public School – Society
Many leaders of these institutions amass wealth and later enter legislative bodies, e.g., Chamakur Malla Reddy, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, and Malka Komuraiah (BC), who contested as an MLC.
Private Universities in Telangana – A Conspiracy to Undermine the Public Education System?
Since the introduction of the Private Universities Act in 2018, the expansion of private educational institutions in Telangana has accelerated. In the past seven years, permissions have been granted to approximately 12 private universities, 4 deemed-to-be universities, and 3 universities from other states. Compared to the 17 existing public universities, this rapid privatization appears to weaken the public education system. Critics argue that by reducing support for public universities and promoting private ones, education is being commercialized, limiting access to higher education for the wealthy and corporate classes. Notably, almost all these new private and deemed universities are established by dominant castes, with no representation for BCs or other marginalized groups in land ownership, investments, or administrative roles. This lack of representation is a serious concern and contradicts social justice principles.
List of Private Universities
- Anurag University, Hyderabad – Reddy
- Mahindra University, Hyderabad – North India
- Woxsen University, Hyderabad – Delhi
- Malla Reddy University, Hyderabad – Reddy
- SR University, Warangal – Reddy
- Srinidhi University, Ghatkesar – Velama
- Guru Nanak University, Ibrahimpatnam – Sikh
- MNR University, Sangareddy – Raju
- Nicmar University of Construction Studies, Shamirpet
- Cavessent Mary’s Rehabilitation University
- Amity University – Chennai
- St. Mary’s Rehabilitation University, Warangal, Siddipet District
Deemed Universities (4)
- ICFAI, Shankarpally, Hyderabad
- International Institute of Information Technology, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
- Chaitanya University, Warangal – Reddy
- Aurora Higher Education and Research Academy, Hyderabad – (Vanjar) BC
Other State Universities (3)
- BITS University
- GITAM University – Kamma
- KL University – Kamma
In just seven years, the number of private universities (19) has surpassed public universities (17). These institutions charge exorbitant fees, exploiting ordinary citizens. Controlled by dominant castes, they operate with lax regulation due to political connections, turning education into a business. The quality of education has deteriorated, and there is no representation of marginalized groups in these institutions. If BC, SC, and ST communities were appointed as professors, it could foster the emergence of scholars from these groups, as seen in the past. However, the government’s deliberate neglect and failure to fill university positions exacerbate the crisis.
Recommendations
- Ensure social justice standards are strictly followed when granting permissions to private universities.
- Formulate rules to ensure fair representation of BCs, SCs, and STs in university governance.
- Strengthen public universities to meet the needs of ordinary students.
Education is not a commodity but a fundamental right essential for societal development.
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♦️ These 11 tweets distill the key points, maintain a call-to-action tone, and use hashtags to amplify reach.
1/ 🚨 Telangana’s education system is under siege! Over 4 decades, rampant privatization has taken over, with ₹1L crore in annual business. Govt schools lose students while private ones boom. #EducationCrisis #TelanganaEducation
2/ 📉 Govt schools in Telangana: 28,000 in 2014 → 26,000 by 2023. Enrollment down 20-30%, hitting 27L in 2014. Meanwhile, private schools surged to 10,000. Hyderabad’s private schools enroll >70% students! #PublicEducation #Privatization
3/ 🎓 Intermediate level: Only 23% students in govt junior colleges in 2023; 77% in private ones. Top corporate colleges like Narayana & Sri Chaitanya charge ₹1.2L-₹2L per student! #EducationInequality #Telangana
4/ 🩺 Higher education: 146 govt degree colleges vs. 620+ private ones. Of 8,000 MBBS seats, only 2,700 in govt colleges. Private medical fees: ₹25L-₹1Cr vs. govt’s ₹50K-₹70K. #HigherEducation #HealthcareAccess
5/ 💸 Privatization’s toll: Middle-class families take loans to afford private education, consuming ~50% of income. Marginalized groups (SC/ST/BC) pushed out as govt education weakens. #SocialJustice #EducationForAll
6/ 🏫 Govt neglect: Teacher shortages, poor infrastructure, & school mergers erode trust in public education. Private sector fills the gap, but at what cost? Education is now a commodity, not a right. #FixPublicEducation #Telangana
7/ ⚖️ Ethical crisis: Education’s commercialization threatens social equality. Dominant castes control private institutions, charging exorbitant fees (up to ₹10L for LKG/UKG!). Govt must regulate! #EducationReform #SocialEquity
8/ 🏛️ Private universities in Telangana: 12 new ones since 2018, outnumbering 17 public universities. Most are run by dominant castes, sidelining BC/SC/ST communities. #PrivateUniversities #EducationEquity
9/ 💡 Solutions: Boost public school infrastructure, fill teacher posts, increase funding, & regulate private sector. Education is a right, not a luxury! #SavePublicEducation #TelanganaEducation
10/ 🚨 Dominant castes dominate private education, amassing wealth & political power. Ex: Sri Chaitanya (Kamma), Narayana (Kapu), Malla Reddy (Reddy). Where’s the representation for marginalized groups? #CasteInEducation #SocialJustice
11/ 📢 Call to action: Enforce social justice in private university approvals, ensure BC/SC/ST representation in governance, & strengthen public universities. Education must serve all, not just the elite! #EducationForAll #Telangana
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