Left Student Unions’ Bandh Shuts Private Schools Across Telangana
Private and corporate schools across Telangana remained closed during the Left student unions’ statewide bandh over education-related demands.
Several private and corporate schools remained closed on Friday after seven Left student unions called a statewide bandh of educational institutions from KG to PG. The Telangana government did not declare a holiday, so government schools and colleges functioned unevenly, while activists visited campuses in the city.
The bandh was called by SFI, AISF, PDSU, AIDSO, AIFDS, AISB and AIPSU. AISF and PDSU activists who went to government schools and colleges, raised slogans against the government in support of their demands and asked management to suspend classes.
SFI’s Ghatkesar unit said that it had successfully enforced the bandh in the area. AIYF Telangana extended “complete support” to the protest. No clash, mass detention, road blockade or disruption to Metro and RTC services was reported in the city by Friday evening.
The unions opposed the proposed consolidation of government schools into cluster campuses. Their demands included appointment of a full-time Education Minister, recruitment to vacant teaching and administrative posts, regulation of private-school fees, and release of pending scholarships and fee reimbursement dues. They also sought withdrawal of GOs 7, 8 and 9, enforcement of the Right to Education quota in private schools, free uniforms and textbooks, better mid-day meal funding, and meals for government junior college students.
