Govt not to wilt under colleges pressure

Hyderabad: The State government decided to discard private education institutions from conducting SSC, Intermediate, Degree and Postgraduate common examinations and spot evaluation process. The decision comes in the wake of private education institutions managements threat to boycott the examinations. Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari directed the senior officials of the education department to take steps to hold examinations in the government-run schools and colleges.

At a review meeting held here on Saturday, the Deputy Chief Minister said the furniture and other infrastructure and facilities had been improved in high schools, Zilla Parishad Schools, Kasturba Gandhi Girls Schools, Modal Schools and Residential Schools. These schools can be identified as the examination centres to conduct the examinations, he said.

Srihari made it clear that the State government would not give in to the threats made by private college managements. He said, “as far as possible, conducting examinations and spot valuations should be held at the government-run educational institutions and minority educational institutions in the State.” However, if there are any private and other educational institutions willing to cooperate, he asked the officials to hold the examinations in such institutions.

Besides, he asked the officials to rope in government teachers and lecturers for invigilation and spot valuation. For the entire exercise, Srihari asked the officials to come up with an action plan to ensure that students will not face any trouble during the conduct of examinations. Special Chief Secretary Education Rajeev R Acharya, Commissioner of Higher Education Naveen Mittal, TS BIE Secretary Ashok, School Education Director Kishan and other senior officials were present in the meeting.

In another meeting held in the city, Srihari said the State government had decided to conduct free health camps for students and will issue health cards accordingly. The Minister inaugurated the Asian Congress of Oral Implentalogists Exhibition at a private hotel here on Saturday. He said Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and the State government had been taking necessary steps to extend quality education and health services to the people.

Appreciating the Telangana Chapter of the Indian Dental Association for organising the exhibition, Srihari said it would help in creating awareness among people about the importance of dental protection. Conference chairman Dr Karunakar and doctors from different parts of the State attended the conference. During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister also participated in the birthday celebrations of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on the occasion.