Parents, student unions, academicians demand immediate regulation of school fees in Telangana

Student unions, parents’ associations, educationists and political leaders have demanded immediate regulation of school fees in Telangana, alleging that private educational institutions are exploiting parents in the absence of a comprehensive fee control mechanism.

Speaking at the roundtable conference on ‘Quality Education – Fee Regulation’ held at the Press Club in Somajiguda, Hyderabad on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Hyderabad School Parents Association (HSPA) president Venkat Sai questioned why the state does not have a proper fee regulation framework even though more than a decade has passed since the formation of the state and the Congress government has been in power for nearly two years. He alleged that many private educational institutions in the state were run either by politicians or people with political influence; He claimed that this was one of the reasons why successive governments had failed to introduce effective regulation.

Terming the current situation alarming, Mr. Venkat Sai said Telangana’s education system was in a ‘state of emergency’ and added that available data showed that the majority of parents in the state were increasingly opting for private schools over government institutions.

Nagaraj of Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU)-Telangana said the government’s education sector continues to remain weak, forcing families to turn to private schools. “Fee regulation is the responsibility of the government and administration. Private corporate educational institutions are increasing rapidly and demanding huge fees. Parents choose private schools because they feel that government education is not adequate.”

Bhagya, who is associated with an organization of mothers working in slums, expressed concern over the quality of education in government schools. During visits to low-income communities, he said that many children in public schools cannot even write their own names or their parents’ names.

All India Students Federation (AISF) State Secretary Putta Laxman said governments have changed over the years but the education system in Telangana has not seen meaningful reforms. Varalakshmi of Telangana Reputed School Management Association (TRSMA) said there are around 1,200 budget private schools in Hyderabad charging between Rs 900 to Rs 3,000 per month and alleged that such schools receive little support from the government.

Educator Ram Shepherd said excessive education expenditure creates psychological pressure on both children and parents. “The more money parents spend on tuition fees, the greater the pressure on children,” he said.

Addressing the meeting, Telangana Jagruthi president Kalvakuntla Kavitha said that education and healthcare are social obligations of the government and should not become areas of exploitation. “Why do 60-70 percent of students go to private schools? Even if parents choose private education, corporate schools should not exploit them,” he said. Ms. Kavitha demanded that the State government immediately issue a Government Order on wage regulation, stating that such a measure was earlier promised by the Congress government.

“We are not against the ethical operation of private schools. We are against institutions that exploit parents through excessive fees,” he said, calling for protests and public mobilization in the districts on the issue.