In Telangana, around 1,000 private degree and postgraduate colleges, except those affiliated with Osmania University, have decided not to conduct exams. These colleges are part of the Telangana Private Degree and Post-Graduate College Managements Association (TPDMA). They announced their decision on Sunday to boycott the semester exams for second and third-year students of Osmania, Palamuru, Telangana, Mahatma Gandhi, and Kakatiya Universities. The boycott is a way to pressure the state government to release Rs 1,200 crore in pending fee reimbursement dues.
However, after discussions with the Telangana Higher Education Council (THEC) Chairman, Prof. V Balakrista Reddy, and Osmania University officials, colleges under Osmania University agreed to withdraw the boycott. A TPDMA member explained that the exams at Osmania University will go ahead as planned to avoid disrupting students. Nevertheless, the exams for the other four universities will remain boycotted indefinitely until the funds are released.
The association explained that they had received tokens for Rs 1,200 crore over the last 10 months, but these are for dues that have been pending for the past two years. The Principal Secretary of Higher Education, Burra Venkatesam, had promised to arrange a meeting with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and assured the release of funds within a week. However, neither the meeting nor the funds materialized.
Ashok, a representative of Sindhu Degree College for Women in Mehdipatnam, mentioned that the colleges under Osmania University would continue with the exams after receiving assurances from the authorities. However, he stressed that their protest for the release of the pending dues would continue. They are hopeful of securing a meeting with the Chief Minister on November 23 to resolve the issue.
Sitharam Reddy, a member of the Osmania University Degree College Management Association, warned that if a solution isn’t found, they would also boycott the upcoming first-year degree exams scheduled for next month. He highlighted that 90% of colleges are struggling to pay salaries, rents, and even electricity bills for the last four to five months.
B Suryanarayana Reddy, the State President of TPDMA, expressed hope that their issues would be resolved after their meeting with the CM. Meanwhile, the Adilabad Private Degree and PG Colleges Association confirmed their participation in the boycott. Colleges under Kakatiya University in the combined Adilabad district will also join the indefinite strike starting Wednesday. They plan to boycott the first, third, and fifth semester exams scheduled for November 26.
Naresh Sripada, from the Satavahana University Private Colleges Management Association, clarified that only colleges under Osmania University in Hyderabad, Medak, and Ranga Reddy districts are allowed to complete their ongoing semester exams.
Chairman of the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE), Prof. Balakista Reddy, stated that efforts are being made to persuade other colleges not to boycott the exams in the interest of the students.
