CBSE, ICSE, and IB Schools Students Protest Govt’s Compulsory Telugu Rule

Hyderabad: Students and parents from CBSE, ICSE, and IB schools held a protest at Indira Park on Saturday, opposing the state government’s directive that made Telugu compulsory in all schools. The families, from diverse linguistic backgrounds now settled in Hyderabad, called the move a one-size-fits-all approach that ignored individual choice in education.

The government’s order has raised concern among families who do not speak Telugu or had opted for another second language since primary classes. Several students said the change was abrupt and left them scrambling to adapt.

“I’ve been studying Hindi as my second language from Class 1,” said a seventh grader from Delhi Public School Nacharam. “Now I have to start Telugu from the basics, while others in my class are far ahead. We’re being made to start both Hindi and Telugu again from scratch.” Another student, whose father serves in the Army, pointed out the difficulty of picking up a new language every few years due to constant transfers.

"We only want the freedom to let our children study the language that makes sense for their future. My son wants to learn Telugu, but as a third language, not second. Why not give that option," asked Rahul Kejriwal, a parent and organiser of the protest.

While the government has assured that the Telugu for new students in higher classes will be a simpler version, parents point out that it is more complex than that. Dr Sunil Dubey, a parent who has lived in Hyderabad for over two decades, explained, “The government had asked CBSE four years ago to approve a simplified Telugu textbook. That approval never came. So now, students have to study an older textbook with a much higher difficulty level. People say the new textbook is simple, but it hasn’t been accepted yet.” According to him, the issue isn’t just about the language, but the absence of a clear and supportive transition.

Several others echoed this. A parent whose son studies in Class IX said, “Expecting him to suddenly learn Telugu and appear for a board exam next year is unfair. He’s never studied it. You can’t expect the same outcomes as those who’ve been studying it from the beginning.”

Parents also spoke about the stress on children of adapting to a new syllabus. One parent pointed out the irony of Hyderabad being positioned as a global city while such narrow policies were being enforced.

The protest was not against Telugu itself. Many reiterated that they appreciated the local language and culture and would be happy for their children to learn it. Their objection was to the way it was being made compulsory without consultation or flexibility. A parent from West Bengal described it plainly, saying, “This is not about North or South. This is about respecting diversity. Keep Telugu as a third language and implement it gradually. Let language be a door, not a barrier."

The group is preparing to take their case to court next week.