Collector admits daughter in govt school, stands as role model

At a time when many parents prefer to admit their children in private schools, the Collector of Vikarabad district in Telangana chose to tread a different path.

Standing as a role model for others, Masrath Khanam Ayesha enrolled her daughter in a government minorities residential school in Vikarabad town though she could have put the child in any famed private school with all the modern amenities. Her daughter was admitted to standard V in the Telangana Minorities Residential School, about 75 km away from Hyderabad.

“The standard of education is good (I admitted her) for all-round development of the child. Facilities are also very good, Ayesha told PTI. “The school is also near to our house,” she said. The minorities residential schools, primarily meant for children belonging to economically backward sections among minorities, are run by the Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS).

TMREIS secretary B Shafiullah appreciated the Collectors decision to admit her daughter in one of the minorities residential schools of the Telangana government. “First of all, a district Collector admitting her daughter in our residential school is a great thing. It is an inspiration to all the minorities,” he told PTI.

Two years ago, he said, many wondered whether to admit their children in the minorities residential schools or not, he said. “But, now a Collector admitting her daughter would increase their (parents) confidence. Especially, many changes will come in minorities girls education. It is good news,” he said.

Shafiullah explained that the Society is providing facilities to students on par with international schools — not as a typical government school — with bunker cots, dining tables, uniforms and shoes, desks and sports facilities, besides regular teaching staff. The students are provided nutritious food, including non-vegetarian, he said. The change in physical development of the students can be seen in six months, he said.

An initiative of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, the schools provide a golden opportunity to children from the minority communities, he said. There are 204 such schools in the state now with a student strength of 92,000. “The state is a role model for the entire
country in minorities education,” he said.