Telangana allows government school trips to Ramoji Film City
HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has permitted government schools to organise excursions to Ramoji Film City (RFC) at ₹1,000 per student, ending years of restrictions on school outings and prompting criticism from teachers.
Schools question selective exemption
On Thursday, School Education Director E Naveen Nicolas issued orders allowing visits to RFC under a “special discounted educational and recreational package” offered exclusively to government schools. The decision drew attention as the department recently directed schools not to take students out after a group of students met with an accident while travelling to collect textbooks.
Educational tours have largely remained suspended since the 2014 Beas river tragedy, in which 24 engineering students on a study tour lost their lives. Headmasters said their requests for permissions were routinely denied by district education officers, citing instructions from higher authorities.
Doubts over prioritising private studio
Teachers asked how the department cleared a trip to a private film studio barely a month after restricting all outings. They also questioned why visits to museums, zoos and other academic institutions were not considered instead.
“Field visits, picnics and recreational tours are part of academic activity. But permissions are rarely granted by the DEO. Some headmasters still take students out quietly. We don’t understand how approval has been given now for a film city visit,” a headmaster said.
RFC package details
The RFC package includes guided studio tours, action theatre, Eureka attractions, children’s activity zones, amphitheatre shows, live performances, Filmy Duniya, gardens, theme sets and backlots. Internal transportation within the campus and a complimentary vegetarian lunch for all children are included. The headmaster and one teacher for every 15 students will receive free entry passes.
Nicolas directed schools not to schedule visits between December 21 and January 2, 2026, as RFC will not allow school groups during that period. Transportation to and from RFC must be arranged and paid for by the schools.
