Telangana, July 31 : Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday strongly defended his government’s education initiatives while responding to opposition criticism over his handling of the Education portfolio. Addressing teachers at the MCRHRD Institute in Hyderabad, the chief minister outlined a series of reforms aimed at modernising public education, strengthening skill development and improving the quality of learning across the state.
Interacting with teachers who recently visited Finland and Germany to study global education models, Revanth announced that the state government would introduce annual overseas study tours for government school teachers. He said the initiative would mirror the international exposure provided to IAS and IPS officers, enabling educators to adopt global best practices and enhance classroom teaching.
The chief minister directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the next academic year by December. The roadmap will treat every mandal as an educational cluster to ensure better planning, monitoring and implementation of reforms at the grassroots level.
Responding to criticism from political opponents, Revanth questioned why measures such as providing breakfast to students from Nursery to Class 12, conducting teacher recruitment and promotions, upgrading Industrial Training Institutes into Advanced Technology Centres (ATCs), and establishing a dedicated Skills University were being portrayed negatively. He said these initiatives reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening public education and preparing students for future employment opportunities.
Highlighting the role of the newly established Skills University, the chief minister said leading corporate professionals had been appointed to its governing board to align academic programmes with industry requirements. According to him, the government’s objective is to create an education ecosystem that equips students with practical knowledge and job-ready skills.
Revanth also criticised the Union government over the country’s rising debt, alleging that borrowings had increased significantly during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure. He claimed that India’s total outstanding debt had risen sharply between 2014 and 2026, placing an unprecedented financial burden on the nation.
Emphasising the importance of education as a tool for social transformation, the chief minister said backwardness is not determined by wealth or social background but by the lack of education. He maintained that the state government’s long-term vision is to increase revenue and utilise it for the welfare and upliftment of economically weaker sections.
Expressing concern over employability among graduates, Revanth observed that a large number of engineering graduates lack practical skills despite completing professional degrees. He stressed that higher education must focus on producing skilled and employable youth capable of meeting industry demands rather than merely awarding degrees.
The chief minister also urged teachers to examine why many parents continue to choose private schools despite the government’s substantial investment in public education. He noted that while the state spends over ₹1 lakh annually on each student in government schools, many families still prefer private institutions, indicating the need to improve quality and public confidence.
At the same time, he appreciated the increase in student enrolment in government schools this academic year and assured teachers that their concerns would be addressed. He encouraged educators to actively participate in strengthening the education system by spreading awareness about the value of learning and contributing practical suggestions for reforms.
Calling on teachers’ associations to broaden their role, Revanth said they should advocate not only for staff welfare but also for policies that benefit students. He urged the education community to work collectively over the next five years to transform Telangana’s government educational institutions into world-class centres of learning and make the state a national model in education.
The chief minister further remarked that English should not be viewed as the sole measure of success. Citing countries such as China, Germany, Japan and Singapore, he said economic progress is driven by quality education, technical expertise and innovation rather than language alone. He encouraged students and educators alike to draw inspiration from successful global education systems while building a stronger future for Telangana.