52 state government primary schools likely to come up in the city by next academic year

Updated on: Monday, March 04, 2013

Providing a major boost to primary school education, 52 state government primary schools are likely to come up in the city by the next academic year. More than 20 locations have been identified in the Old City alone.

The new schools are being planned under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme. Area level officials of the education department are scouting for suitable premises. The areas in Old City where the new schools will come up are Saidabad, Bandlaguda and Bahadurpura. Twenty-nine schools will come up in Asif Nagar, Shaikpet, Golconda and Khairatabad. According to official estimates, the move is expected to benefit 6,510 students.

"In some areas identified, schools already exist but are not able to cater to the demand. The medium of instruction of the schools will be decided after identifying the premises and gauging local demand," an official of the education department said.

He did not rule out the possibility of having multiple mediums of instructions at the schools, particularly those in the Old City where both Urdu and English may be preferred by locals. There are currently 618 primary schools spread across Hyderabad district. Of these, half are in the Old City alone. Though an amount has not yet been set aside, officials say sufficient funds will be allocated for the new institutions. Given that the new schools being planned have to be ready by June, they will mostly come up in rented buildings straining financial resources. Owing to lack of adequate government infrastructure, around 130 rental premises are being used by the government by paying Rs 10 per square feet. In many cases the rents are as high as Rs 1 lakh a month. A couple of years ago the government had taken up construction of new buildings to accommodate a few schools and reduce the burden of rent.

"Educational officials are looking area-wise for locations where there is a need for schools. There is paucity of government land in the city so it is difficult to construct buildings though funds are available," said sources. By next academic year, 20 buildings in the Old City which are currently under construction, will provide accommodation to existing schools presently operating in rental premises.

52 state government primary schools likely to come up in the city by next academic year

More Education news