Hyderabad, June 11 -- Drums announced their arrival before they reached each doorstep. Accompanied by volunteers, teacher V Gopinath walked through the lanes of Paatimeedhi Gudem village in Mahabubabad, appealing to parents to choose government school over expensive private ones for their children.

"Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is taking a lot of interest in the children's quality education and nutrition. The Congress government intends to provide a bright future for the students," he said.

Several parents came forward and pledged to choose government schools from this academic year.

"Just like a temple is needed in a village, government schools are also needed. Just like me, teachers across the state have been working hard to protect ...