TRS Chief Kavitha Demands Action on Private School Fee Increases in Telangana

Hyderabad: K. Kavitha, chief of the Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS), has levelled sharp criticism at the Telangana government for its inability to curb escalating school fees, signalling potential mass demonstrations against private educational institutions statewide.

Addressing a round-table conference convened by the Hyderabad Parents Association at Somajiguda Press Club on Wednesday, Kavitha pressed for urgent legislative measures to bring school fees under regulatory control. She also urged the government to issue an order freezing fee increases for the ongoing academic year.

Kavitha pointed to private schools across Telangana raising fees by 50% to 120%, creating significant hardship for households. She underscored that parents are allocating between 60% and 70% of their earnings towards education and healthcare costs.

The TRS leader took aim at Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who oversees the education portfolio, asserting that the government has prioritised engagement with private institutions over enforcing regulatory oversight. She specifically objected to Government Order MS No.7, which she characterised as undermining the fee reimbursement programme by channelling funds directly into student bank accounts. Kavitha demanded the immediate cancellation of this order and the release of pending reimbursement amounts totalling Rs.11,000 crore.

Concerns about girls' education have also surfaced, with Kavitha warning that delays in reimbursement payments could prompt financially vulnerable families to withdraw daughters from educational institutions.

Kavitha has also raised serious concerns about Hyderabad Public School, alleging operational irregularities and demanding a thorough investigation. She noted the school has increased fees by 120% despite occupying government land. Further allegations include insufficient transparency regarding donations, including contributions from prominent alumni such as Satya Nadella. Kavitha also claimed the institution has maintained prolonged control over key administrative positions and attempted to encroach upon 30 acres of campus territory.

Signalling an escalation in pressure, Kavitha warned that protests would be staged at district collector offices across the state if the government fails to take decisive action against the fee escalations.