Hyderabad: Polytechnic students across Telangana, including Hyderabad, staged protests on Tuesday opposing the state government’s proposal to merge polytechnic education with the Young India Skill University (YISU).
The protests were organised by student bodies, including the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and the Telangana Polytechnic Joint Action Committee (TPJAC). Students from several government polytechnic colleges participated in dharnas held at different locations across the state.
The students strongly objected to the proposed merger of polytechnic education with YISU under the Skill, Human Capital and Knowledge Training Initiatives (SHAKTI), formerly associated with the Labour Department.
Protesting students demanded that polytechnic colleges continue under the existing technical education system and urged the government to withdraw the proposed SHAKTI policy. They expressed concern that shifting polytechnic education under the new system could affect students’ academic and career opportunities.
The teaching community has also joined the opposition, raising concerns over the proposed restructuring of the existing technical education framework.
Students said the government should hold consultations with students, teachers and other stakeholders before taking any decision on the future of polytechnic education. They warned that protests would continue if the proposal was not withdrawn.