Telangana CM asks teachers to wait two more years for pending demands

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has asked teachers to give his administration two more years to settle their pending demands, promising solutions based on the state's financial capacity. Speaking at a Government Junior College in Kodangal, he appealed to educators not to protest on the streets over unresolved grievances.

Progress claims in education rankings

The Chief Minister told the Teachers' Day gathering that Telangana's position in education had climbed from 28th to 17th since the Congress government assumed office, crediting teachers for the improvement. Government schools recorded an enrolment rise of 88,000 students over the past two years, he said.

Mr. Reddy cited the recruitment of 10,006 teachers through the District Selection Committee within 55 days, promotions for 25,950 teachers, and the transfer of 34,706 teachers without major controversy as evidence of his government's action. The administration had also resolved issues relating to Government Order 317 and set up an Education Commission to handle teachers' concerns, he added.

Retirement benefits and training abroad

The government sanctioned ₹6,000 crore toward pending retirement benefits after the Bharat Rashtra Samithi government left such dues unpaid following an increase in the retirement age, the Chief Minister said. He also highlighted that the state had sent teachers abroad at its own expense to study education systems, questioning whether any other state had undertaken a similar initiative.

In technical education, the state achieved 95% admissions in polytechnic colleges, Mr. Reddy said. The government's focus remained on promoting education, employment, and livelihood opportunities alongside welfare and development, he stated.

Warning against 'false propaganda'

Referring to a controversy around polytechnic colleges, the Chief Minister urged teachers not to believe what he termed false propaganda and alleged that attempts were being made to use educators to "blackmail" the government. He assured them that the government's doors would always remain open to address grievances.

Mr. Reddy quoted former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, saying students spend more time with teachers than with their parents and that the country's future lies in classrooms. He announced that 123 teachers were being presented awards for their contribution to education and said the government aimed to strengthen public education from nursery to Class XII to compete with private institutions.

Source: The Hindu