In a stark revelation that underscores a significant deficit in the state's educational infrastructure, BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan has raised serious concerns over the absence of functional libraries in thousands of government schools across Telangana. The legislator highlighted this critical gap while speaking in the legislative council, pointing out its detrimental impact on students and the broader education system.
A Vast Infrastructure Gap in School Libraries
Dasoju Sravan presented a concerning statistic: while Telangana has approximately 30,000 government schools, a vast majority—25,520 schools—have designated space for a library. However, these spaces remain empty shells, devoid of books and resources. "Although there is space, there are no actual libraries or books available," Sravan stated, emphasizing that this void is creating substantial difficulties for students, particularly those in higher classes who require additional reference material and a conducive environment for self-study.
Consequences: From Unemployment to Social Media Addiction
The MLC outlined a chain of negative consequences stemming from this neglect. Firstly, the immediate academic hardship for students is compounded by a deeper, cultural shift. Sravan expressed worry that, in the absence of access to books, children are increasingly drifting away from reading and becoming addicted to social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. He firmly remarked that personal and intellectual development is nearly impossible without the habit of reading books.
Furthermore, Sravan connected this educational shortfall to an economic opportunity. He noted that actively establishing libraries in these 25,520 schools would simultaneously create an equal number of job opportunities, thereby helping to reduce the state's unemployment burden to some extent.
A Call to Strengthen 'Telangana Rising' Through Education
Linking the issue to the state's development narrative, Dasoju Sravan questioned the vision of 'Telangana Rising.' He argued that for a true rise, foundational institutions like schools must be robustly equipped. He drew a parallel, noting that many government schools have playgrounds but lack physical education teachers, indicating a pattern of incomplete provisioning.
"Only by addressing these deficiencies can schools truly improve," he asserted. Sravan concluded that establishing functional libraries would serve a dual purpose: it would enhance the quality of education in government schools and provide meaningful employment for thousands, making it a crucial step for holistic development.
