Edu Institutions, Offices Stay Open Despite Order

Hyderabad: In anticipation of the Telangana Assembly elections, the Hyderabad district collector declared a two-day holiday for all schools and educational institutions in the district, on November 29 and 30. The move, aimed at accommodating the significant number of teachers participating in election duty, met with compliance from most institutions. However, a few establishments were found violating the directive, leading to concerns among parents and students.

The collector, in a statement posted on social media platform ‘X’ announced, “In view of the Telangana Assembly Elections 2023, all educational institutions in Hyderabad district will remain closed on 29th and 30th Nov 2023. Regular activities resume on 1 Dec 2023.”

Despite this clear directive, Sanghi Vidya Niketan School in Tarnaka compelled students to attend classes on Wednesday, justifying it as a “practice session”. When questioned, the school’s representative failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, raising eyebrows about the institution's compliance with the collector’s order.

Class 10 students of Johnson Grammar school in Nacharam were forced to make it to what the school called “special classes” for students. “I worry if they’d be asked to come to school on the day of voting for a half day as well, as many heard discussion about the same going on. Or an online class - it’s worrisome, because teachers don't have to vote, travel long distances or wait in lines to cast their vote. Their duty might obstruct their interest to vote due to fear of upsetting their management,” a parent told Deccan Chronicle. Several private engineering colleges in Rangareddy district - Patancheru and Ghatkesar - initially insisted that students attend classes on both Wednesday and Thursday, the latter being the day of voting. After facing opposition from students, the colleges ultimately conceded, declaring Thursday as a holiday.

“We had our practical exams scheduled for the two days and the management refused to change the dates until we made a hue and cry of it. Many of us are first time voters and with the day scheduled from 9 am to 5 pm, and coming from far off places, voting would’ve become problematic and nearly impossible for many of us. I’m glad they took a call at least for Thursday,” said one student, while another said that had they had a holiday on Wednesday, travelling to her hometown of Warangal would’ve been easier and probably even cheaper, to cast her vote and return before her exam on Friday.

Amidst these challenges, some corporate employees in the region were disappointed as their managers instructed them to work from home instead of granting a holiday to facilitate voting. This decision particularly affected individuals from neighboring districts, raising concerns about their ability to cast their votes and return to work promptly.