Plans afoot to start classes in at least 10 Young India Integrated Residential Schools next academic year: Ponnam Prabhakar

Efforts are underway to commence classes in at least 10 Young India Integrated Residential Schools by the next academic year, Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said.

The initiative aims to provide quality education to underprivileged students and enable those from SC, ST, BC and minority communities to study and grow together, he said.

Mr. Prabhakar and Social Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar laid the foundation stone for a Young India Integrated Residential School at Thatipally village in Jagtial rural mandal on Sunday.

The residential school will be built on 25 acres at an estimated ₹200 crore, with facilities for around 2,500 students. Construction is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Mr. Prabhakar said the government had increased diet charges for Gurukul students by 40% and cosmetic charges by 200%, besides ensuring timely payment of bills of Gurukul institutions through a green channel.

He also highlighted the “Telangana Jalasri” programme for water conservation and groundwater recharge, and called for collective efforts to address El Nino-related challenges.

Mr. Laxman Kumar said the government was prioritising strengthening of State-run residential institutions and improving educational standards and student amenities remained priorities.

He also referred to the recent foundation stone-laying ceremony for a Kendriya Vidyalaya at Chelgal in Jagtial district.

Earlier, the Ministers laid the foundation stone for modernisation of the bus station in the temple town of Dharmapuri at an estimated ₹2.57 crore.