Former Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) working president and Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) leader Professor M. Kodandaram has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government, accusing it of severely damaging the state’s higher education system.
Kodandaram, a renowned academic himself, contends that the KCR government has prioritized the growth of private universities at the expense of public institutions. He argues that the government has failed to adequately fund and improve existing public universities, leaving them struggling with inadequate infrastructure and faculty shortages. This, he claims, has created an uneven playing field, forcing students to flock to expensive private institutions, thereby widening the gap in access to quality education.
“The government’s focus on promoting private universities has created a market-driven system where education has become a commodity,” Kodandaram stated. “The focus should be on strengthening public institutions and making quality education accessible to all, regardless of their socioeconomic background.”
He further pointed out the government’s failure to address the issue of unemployment among educated youth, highlighting the disconnect between the skills taught in universities and the demands of the job market. Kodandaram urged the government to prioritize the development of public education institutions and implement policies that foster a robust and inclusive higher education system.
His statement has sparked a debate on the state of higher education in Telangana, with many echoing concerns about the growing dominance of private institutions and the dwindling quality of public universities. The KCR government is yet to respond to Kodandaram’s allegations.
