Hyderabad, July 29: Congress senior leader and TPCC Political Affairs Committee (PAC) Convener Mohammed Ali Shabbir has vehemently criticized the State Government’s decision to ban media, student unions, and NGOs from entering government schools. The move appears to be an effort to hide the deplorable condition of these educational facilities after the incessant rains.
Shabbir Ali drew attention to the distressing state of neglect that government schools have endured under the BRS Government. “A significant number of school buildings have been left in a dilapidated state, without any repairs for years. Shockingly, no comprehensive survey has ever been conducted to assess the condition of these structures. The recent heavy rains have further aggravated the situation, causing water to seep through the roofs, rendering the premises unsafe and posing a grave threat to students’ safety,” he said in a media statement on Saturday.
Expressing his concern, Shabbir Ali accused the education department of attempting to cover up their mistakes rather than addressing the pressing issues and identifying the loopholes in the system. He further criticized the government’s move as an act of censorship, depriving the public of vital information about the dire state of the schools.
Furthermore, Shabbir Ali pointed out that despite flooding and unsafe conditions, some schools were being reopened, disregarding the well-being of the students.
Highlighting the government’s responsibility to provide all students with access to a safe and quality education, the Congress leader emphasized that the new restrictions hinder the government’s ability to fulfill this vital obligation.
Citing an example, he said a government school and college in Domakonda in Kamareddy which he visited recently, had no bathroom, drinking water or other facilities. He said the walls of the school building were also having a leakage due to rain. The students are yet to get the books although the classes started about two months ago. By imposing restrictions, he said the BRS Govt is trying to suppress this reality from coming out in public.
Demanding immediate action, Shabbir Ali urged the State Government to withdraw the restrictions promptly. He called for the school department to prepare a comprehensive report on the damage caused to school and college buildings due to the recent rains. The situation calls for urgent action from the government to address the neglected state of these educational facilities.
Shabbir Ali stressed the importance of constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders, including media, student unions, and NGOs, to collaboratively find sustainable solutions that ensure the well-being of students and maintain the quality of their education.
