Polytechnic students across Telangana, including Hyderabad, staged protests on Tuesday against the state government’s proposal to merge polytechnic education with the Young India Skill University (YISU).
The protests were organised by student organisations, 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 across the state.
The students expressed concern that the proposed merger could reduce educational and career opportunities for polytechnic students. They demanded that polytechnic colleges continue under the existing technical education system.
The government has proposed bringing polytechnic education under YISU as part of the Skill, Human Capital and Knowledge Training Initiatives (SHAKTI), formerly known as the Labour Department. The proposal has also drawn opposition from members of the teaching community.
Protesting students urged the state government to withdraw the SHAKTI policy and reconsider the proposed merger, stating that polytechnic education should remain under the existing technical education framework.