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Science centre for slum students inaugurated in Hyderabad
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Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, October 22nd 2025 at 15:03 GMT by Telangana Today- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Science Centre for Slum Students Inaugurated in Hyderabad
In a landmark move aimed at bridging the educational divide between Hyderabad’s urban elite and its sprawling slum communities, a newly‑opened science centre has been inaugurated in the heart of the city’s slum belt. The ceremony, which drew a diverse mix of government officials, local NGO representatives, and the children it intends to serve, marked the culmination of a multi‑year effort to bring hands‑on STEM learning to under‑privileged youth.
The New Hub for Curiosity
Located in the Jubilee Hills area—just a short distance from the densely populated Dilsukhnagar slums—the centre spans a 5,000‑square‑foot facility that houses a full spectrum of modern scientific equipment. From microscopes and telescopes to 3‑D printers and a robotic assembly line, the centre is equipped to host interactive workshops, maker‑space projects, and digital classroom sessions. In addition, a dedicated “Discovery Room” will allow students to experiment with basic physics and chemistry apparatus under the guidance of trained facilitators.
According to the official launch statement, the centre will serve over 5,000 children from the surrounding slum areas, offering a free, month‑long “Science Immersion” program that culminates in a showcase of student projects. The goal, officials say, is not just to teach scientific concepts but to ignite a passion for problem‑solving and innovation that can translate into higher education and future employment.
A Collaboration of Public and Private Partners
The centre’s development was a collaborative venture between the Telangana State Government, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Hyderabad (MCGH), and several non‑profit organisations including the Slum Youth Development Society (SYDS) and the Hyderabad Innovation Fund. Funding for the 25‑million‑rupee project came from a mix of sources: a 12‑million‑rupee allocation from the state’s “Youth Empowerment” budget, a 7‑million‑rupee grant from the municipal corporation, and a 6‑million‑rupee donation from the private sector, including local tech start‑ups.
“We have always believed that curiosity is the most powerful catalyst for change,” said Dr. K. P. Chithambaram, Minister of Education for Telangana. “This centre is a tangible step towards ensuring that every child in our city, regardless of their background, has the tools and knowledge to explore the world of science.”
Inauguration Highlights
The inauguration took place on a sunny afternoon on the 12th of September, 2023. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (CMT) was the chief guest, flanked by the Municipal Commissioner, M. N. Prakash, and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, R. S. Rao. The ceremony featured a ribbon‑cutting, a speech by the Chief Minister, and a short performance by a group of school children from the nearby slum schools.
During his address, the Chief Minister emphasized the state’s commitment to inclusive development. “This centre is a testament to our pledge that education is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “By providing access to modern scientific tools, we are giving these children a platform to dream big and to shape their own futures.”
The ceremony also saw the unveiling of a bronze plaque bearing the names of the key partners and donors. In a nod to community involvement, the plaque is positioned near a “Youth Wall” where children can write their own science goals and aspirations.
A Look at the Curriculum
The centre’s programme is designed around the national curriculum but goes beyond textbook learning. Each week, students will be guided through themed modules that cover topics such as:
- Physics in Everyday Life: Building simple circuits, exploring mechanics, and learning about renewable energy through mini wind turbines.
- Chemistry and Health: Safe experimentation with basic chemical reactions, understanding the science behind vaccines and sanitation.
- Biology and Biodiversity: Microscopic examination of local flora and fauna, studying the impacts of urban pollution on ecosystems.
- Robotics and Automation: Programming small robots, learning about sensors, and creating simple automation tasks.
- Data Science and Analytics: Introduction to basic coding in Python, data collection and analysis using real‑time data from the city’s air‑quality sensors.
The centre will also host monthly “Science Fair” events where students can exhibit their projects to parents, teachers, and potential scholarship committees. A scholarship fund will be set up to support exceptional students for admission into higher‑education institutions across the country.
Community Response and Future Plans
During the inauguration, several parents and community leaders expressed their excitement and gratitude. “Before, the only science class we could send our kids to was the one in the municipal school, which was overcrowded and under‑funded,” said S. Ramesh, a resident of Dilsukhnagar. “Now, our children will have a dedicated space to learn and experiment.”
The centre’s management team plans to scale the initiative by establishing similar hubs in other slum clusters across Hyderabad by the end of 2025. There are also discussions underway to incorporate virtual reality modules and a digital library that would allow students to access a wealth of global scientific resources online.
Additional Resources
For those interested in the behind‑the‑scenes development of the centre, a series of interviews with the project lead, Dr. R. S. Rao, can be found on the Telangana Today website. The original article provides a direct link to the official project page on the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s portal (https://mcgh.hyderabad.gov.in/science-centre-for-slum-students), where stakeholders can view detailed project timelines, funding breakdowns, and volunteer opportunities.
The centre’s opening is more than a ceremonial event; it is a tangible investment in the future of Hyderabad’s most vulnerable youth. By giving children access to cutting‑edge scientific tools and an inspiring learning environment, the state is laying the groundwork for a more equitable, knowledge‑driven society.
Read the Full Telangana Today Article at:
[ https://telanganatoday.com/science-centre-for-slum-students-inaugurated-in-hyderabad ]
