HYDERABAD: Polytechnic students across Telangana intensified their protests on Wednesday against the proposed merger of government polytechnic colleges with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and Apprentice Training Centres under the newly formed Shakti department. Students staged demonstrations at several colleges across the state and announced a ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ programme on August 22, demanding withdrawal of the merger proposal.
Protests were reported at government polytechnic colleges in Hyderabad, Vikarabad, Patancheru and several districts, including erstwhile Warangal and Karimnagar districts.
Students fear that changes to the existing system could weaken the specialised technical education pathway. They said the proposed restructuring could undermine the significance of the three-year diploma programme and create difficulties for students seeking to pursue BTech courses.
The protests follow GO 97 issued on July 3, under which the Labour, Employment, Training and Factories department was renamed SHAKTI — Skill, Human Capital and Knowledge Training Initiatives. Government polytechnic colleges were also brought under the ambit of Young India Skill University as part of the restructuring.
Student protesters said the proposed merger would adversely affect the identity and functioning of polytechnic education, which they maintained was a specialised technical education stream distinct from ITIs and general skill training.
As the agitation gains momentum, student representatives and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of teachers, teaching and non-teaching staff have decided to intensify the movement with a ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ programme on August 22.
The JAC, comprising 16 associations representing teaching and non-teaching staff of government polytechnic colleges, is supporting the programme. The All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) and ABVP have also extended support to the agitation.
