In Hyderabad, over 105 government schools are operating out of rented buildings. Unfortunately, the government hasn’t paid the rent for these buildings, which has led to problems in providing proper facilities for students.
Because the schools are in rented spaces, they can’t even make small repairs without getting the building owner’s permission. Many parents want to enroll their children in these schools, but there isn’t enough space for everyone. The owners refuse to allow any expansions until the government clears the overdue rent.
The owners of these buildings, where both primary and secondary schools are located, say that around Rs 3.39 crore in rent hasn’t been paid for the last four years. This issue affects around 105 schools, including 87 primary and 18 high schools. Most of these schools are in the Old City areas like Bahadurpura, Charminar, Asif Nagar, Tolichowki, and Golkonda.
In November 2023, the Education Department sanctioned about Rs 3.49 crore for the districts of Hyderabad and Mahabubnagar. Of this, Rs 3.39 crore was meant for Hyderabad’s rent arrears, but the funds are still waiting for approval from the finance department.
Some building owners say they rely on this rent for their daily living expenses. One owner in Bahadurpura, who took a large bank loan to construct his building, mentioned that he struggles to pay his monthly EMIs because the government owes him Rs 5 lakh in rent for the past four years. He expressed frustration over repeatedly asking officials to settle the dues.
A staff member from a government school in the Old City, speaking anonymously, said the unpaid rent causes tension between school officials and building owners. This ongoing conflict affects the school’s operations. They believe that if the state government releases the necessary funds on time, these schools could function more smoothly and efficiently.
