A child’s school bag may be filled with books… but is their future secure? From Gurukuls to Anganwadis, from hostels to mid-day-meal kitchens — every single day, somewhere in the Telugu states, issues affecting children are coming to light. The right to education, the right to nutrition, the right to safety… all these look perfect on paper, but at the implementation level, there are serious gaps.

We often say children are the future of the nation. But in the very institutions meant to safeguard that future, politics, negligence, delays in fund release, and lack of proper monitoring are slowly dimming that future. In this context, it is clear that both society and the government must take stronger, more actionable steps toward reforms

Gurukuls: Schools Turning Into Struggle Zones

Gurukul schools in the Telugu states were established to offer quality education and opportunity to children from poor families. But the reality reveals:

Crowded dormitories — a hostel meant for 40 students often houses 60.

Shortage of teachers — vacancies not filled, forcing one teacher to handle two or three subjects.

Food quality issues — officials themselves admit shortages: no eggs, no supplies.

Due to delayed fund release, basic management suffers, weakening a system that was meant to uplift poor students. Instead of a culture of support, a mindset of “somehow manage for today” has spread.

Anganwadis: Where Does the Nutrition Guarantee Fail?

Pre-school education, nutritious meals, health services — this is the aim of Anganwadis.

But the reality in many places:

Dilapidated buildings

Anganwadi teachers working for very low salaries

Frequent shortages leading to children not receiving timely meals

Growing student numbers but no improvement in facilities

Nutrition supplies not arriving on time

Wages for teachers and helpers far below the workload

When such crucial child-development services weaken, long-term public health consequences begin to emerge.

Hostels: Safety Failures Hidden Behind Closed Doors

Abuses in hostels rarely come out. Why? Children are scared Even if they complain, they feel no action will be taken, Pressure from management, No proper monitoring

Psychological harassment, physical punishment, lack of personal safety — these leave lasting marks on a child’s mind.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Great Policy, Poor Execution

One of the largest food distribution programmes in the country, yet in the Telugu states the same issues repeat:

No eggs

Supplies stuck

Cooks not paid for months

Poor-quality food

Cooks are paid very low salaries, and even those come late, leaving them demotivated — directly affecting children's health.

Making Children Cook — Inhuman and Illegal

Some schools make children wash dishes or cut vegetables. This is not only illegal but deeply unethical. The fact that such practices happen mainly because the children are poor is a terrifying reflection of societal attitude.

To stop this completely, the government must ensure:

Special monitoring

Strict action

Timely funds

Advance Funding — Need of the Hour

Currently, funds are released only after programmes are implemented. But essential needs like food and hostel management cannot survive these delays.

The solution:

Government must release three months’ funds in advance

Ensure timely audits

Take action on officials responsible for fund delays

Food for children must be the first priority in the budget.

A Toll-Free Number for Children — An Urgent Need

A dedicated toll-free number for students in hostels, Gurukuls, and residential schools would allow children to report:

Harassment

Abuse of power

Food quality issues

Safety problems

This helpline must have:

Complete confidentiality

Immediate response system

A digital complaint register that reaches district officials directly

Monitoring Should Be on the Ground — Not on Paper

A major flaw today is that inspections are often:

Pre-announced

Faked by management

Conducted without speaking to children

A real inspection should include:

✔️ Surprise visits

✔️ Speaking privately with children

✔️ Checking dormitories, kitchens, bathrooms, food quality

✔️ Conversations with teachers and cooks

✔️ Awareness sessions on child rights

Children must know their rights and where to complain.

End the Attitude of Looking Down on “Weaker Sections’ Children”

Government schools, hostels, Gurukuls, and Anganwadis mostly serve:

Tribal children

Dalit children

Labourers’ children

Children from poor families

Because of this background, a dangerous mindset of “anything is fine for them” has grown in some places.

Every child is a citizen of this country. Their background doesn’t matter — their future does. Our mindset must change.

Institutional Reforms — What Should They Look Like?

Advance funding mechanism

Strict implementation of child protection laws

Toll-free number & dedicated help centre

Proper salaries and on-time payments for cooks

Special teams for surprise inspections

Digital tracking — from food to hostel management

Mandatory child-rights awareness

Increased involvement of society & parents

Without these steps, the child welfare system cannot truly change.

Only When Children Receive Trust, Safety, and Respect in Childhood…

They say: if you want to see a nation’s future, look into the eyes of its schoolchildren.

Those eyes should shine with confidence — not fear.

For that, the government,society,media,and school staff must work together

Only when children receive proper food, a safe environment, and loving care will they focus on learning — becoming responsible citizens.

Conclusion

Today a Gurukul, tomorrow an Anganwadi, the next day a hostel… problems keep surfacing. We cannot treat each issue as a standalone news item and forget it. It is time to reform the entire system.

Child welfare is not just the responsibility of the government or society — it is our collective responsibility.

When children grow, the nation grows.

When children’s rights are protected, democracy becomes stronger.