Hyderabad: Revenue and housing minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Saturday said the Congress govt is spending thousands of crores of rupees on reforms in the education sector to provide quality education along with technical skills that make youth employable not only domestically but also at the global level. Speaking at an event at HITEX here, the minister said the Telangana govt, under the leadership of chief minister A Revanth Reddy, has initiated fundamental and revolutionary changes in the education sector to keep pace with the changing global needs.“The govt has recognised the education sector as a top priority and has taken several decisions by introducing comprehensive reforms, ranging from the development of school infrastructure and teacher recruitment to digital learning and skill education,” he said.Ponguleti said that Young India Integrated Schools are being set up to enable students from SC, ST, BC, and minority communities to study together on the same campus, with all facilities, thereby transcending caste and religious differences. “The govt is investing Rs 21,000 crore to construct 105 Young India Schools in 105 assembly constituencies across the state. Each school will be established on a 25-acre campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure,” he said.The minister said the govt filled 10,000 teacher posts within two years by conducting the DSC. “Free electricity is being provided to all govt schools in the state from Sept 2024, for which the govt is bearing an annual expenditure of approximately Rs 140 crore. Infrastructure works have been completed statewide at a cost of Rs 642 crore through Amma Adarsha Pathashala Committees (AAPCs). Also, around Rs 146 crore has been allocated by entrusting school cleanliness, classroom repairs, and maintenance responsibilities to the AAPCs,” he said.He further said the govt has established the Telangana Young India Skill University to provide skill development, training, and employment opportunities for the youth. “This university will begin skill development courses from this year, with the objective of offering training aligned with industry needs and creating immediate employment for the youth. A sports university will also be established,” he said.At a separate programme, labour minister G Vivek said providing suitable and future-ready employment opportunities to educated youth is one of the key promises of the Congress govt. The construction of Advanced Training Centres (ATCs) across the state is part of a comprehensive action plan to achieve this goal.He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the ATC building at Naskal village in Pargi constituency. “The ATC will play a crucial role in equipping local youth with skill-based training and open up ample employment opportunities in the coming years. The govt is spending Rs 4,000 crore for the establishment of ATCs in collaboration with Tata Technologies,” Vivek said.The Naskal ATC is among the recently sanctioned 52 standalone ATCs for rural constituencies. It is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 45.15 crore, with the expected to be completed within a year.
