Polytechnic Faculty Seek Longer Bathukamma, Dasara Break
The issue has prompted faculty representations to the authorities, with lecturers arguing that the state’s major festivals deserve consideration while finalising the academic calendar.
Hyderabad:Government polytechnic faculty and students are seeking longer Bathukamma and Dasara holidays, saying the curtailed break left little time for students staying in hostels or travelling to their hometowns to celebrate with their families, from October 18 to 21.
The issue has prompted faculty representations to the authorities, with lecturers arguing that the state’s major festivals deserve consideration while finalising the academic calendar.
Vidya Sagar Rao Podicheti, faculty member, who is one of the people leading the appeal for festival holidays, said students and lecturers should not have to choose between academic responsibilities and celebrating important occasions with their families. “Students deserve festivals. Lecturers deserve rest to be able to spend quality time with family,” he said, arguing that education must account for people’s cultural and emotional needs as well as classroom schedules.
The concern was particularly for students who live far from their colleges and depend on welfare hostels. “A short break can make travelling home and returning to college difficult, limiting their opportunity to take part in Bathukamma and Dasara celebrations,” Podicheti told DC. “One of the four holidays is on a Sunday, meaning it’s no extra holiday, so we get a told of only 3 days,” Vanshith Bhargav, a student told DC.
Students said festival holidays were not a luxury but an opportunity for students and teachers to reconnect with their families and cultural traditions. They also argued that academic requirements could be met through proper planning, additional classes and adjustments to the schedule.
Faculty members maintain that recognising the importance of festivals need not come at the cost of academic standards. “We want the authorities to consider students’ travel needs and lecturers’ workloads while deciding the holiday schedule,” said Aruna K, a student. Students and faculty are seeking a decision that balances working days and syllabus completion with the needs of students and teachers to celebrate the festivals with their families.
