Hans News Service Hyderabad

Studentunion leaders announced that the statewide shutdown of educational institutions, organised on Friday to protest the Congress government’s stance, which has pushed the state’s education sector into a severe crisis, was successful. Students across the state participated in the shutdown in large numbers, responding to the call given by student organisations including SFI, AISF, PDSU, AIDSO, AIFDS, AISB, and AIPSU.

During the protest, student union leaders and activists laid siege to the ministers’ residential complex in Hyderabad. A scuffle ensued when the police obstructed the students who were protesting peacefully. Leaders alleged that the police assaulted several students by punching them and arrested them forcibly. They criticised the government, stating that the use of coercive measures against students seeking democratic solutions to their problems reflects the government’s attitude towards democracy.

Leaders from various state student organisations participated and spoke on the occasion, including T. Nagaraju (SFI State Secretary), Putta Lakshman (AISF State Secretary), S. Anil (PDSU State Secretary), P. Mahesh and Podapangi Nagaraju (PDSU State President and Secretary), Nitish (AIDSO State Joint Secretary), Palle Murali (AIFDS State President), Naveed Hakim (AISB State Secretary), and Gopal (AIPSU State Leader).

They pointed out that although the Congress government has been in power for nearly two years, the failure to appoint a full-time Education Minister reveals the government’s negligence towards the education sector. They noted that government schools and colleges are struggling with numerous issues due to the lack of leadership in the Education Department.

The protesters criticised the government for indirectly paving the way for the merger and closure of government schools under the guise of ‘Young India Schools’ and ‘International Schools.’ They expressed concern that the government—which ought to be strengthening public education—is instead adopting policies that jeopardise the very existence of government schools.

They further alleged that the Congress government is hindering the higher education of thousands of poor students by failing to release scholarship funds and fee reimbursement arrears totalling approximately Rs 10,814 crore, which have been pending for 6 years. They stated that the Congress government, which speaks of social justice, has jeopardised the education of poor students.

Besides, they alleged that education in the state has turned into a commercial venture because the government has failed to enact a fee regulation act to curb private and corporate educational institutions from arbitrarily hiking fees.

Furthermore, they pointed out the government’s failure to provide even basic necessities—such as notebooks, textbooks, uniforms, and mid-day meals—in government schools in a timely and quality manner. They demanded immediate government action to fill teacher vacancies, create infrastructure, and strengthen the public education system.

Student union leaders warned that if the government does not immediately take steps to resolve issues in the education sector, they would launch a more widespread, united student movement across the state.