Telangana has made notable strides in improving its educational infrastructure, particularly in science education. According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data for the academic year 2024-25, the state boasts that 67.2% of its secondary schools are equipped with integrated science laboratories, surpassing the national average of 57.1%.

This represents a significant increase from just 43.6% in 2022-23, marking a critical shift towards enhancing practical scientific education. The state has 8,808 out of 13,103 secondary schools with integrated science labs, a move indicative of a growing recognition of the importance of hands-on experience in learning science.

Despite this progress, experts, including K. Laxminarayana, a professor at the University of Hyderabad, underline that Telangana still lags behind several other states such as Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Punjab, where the proportions of secondary schools with integrated science labs are 80.1%, 80%, and 75.5% respectively.

The data reveals disparities within Telangana’s educational management categories. Government schools show a penetration rate of 63.8% for integrated labs, while private unaided institutions display a more robust 71.6%. However, aided schools remain behind, with only 45.6% of them housing lab facilities.

Professor Laxminarayana advocates for an increase in the education budget, citing a severe shortage of science faculty as a key challenge. He argues that the absence of adequate lab facilities compromises the quality of scientific education, which can stifle innovation and practical learning, particularly in rapidly advancing fields like artificial intelligence and robotics.

As policymakers in Telangana map out the future of education, the urgent need for enhanced investment in scientific facilities and teacher recruitment is clear, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.