Students’ Union Calls for Probe into Telangana Education Bodies

Hyderabad: Raising concerns over alleged irregularities in fees and functioning within higher education institutions, the Progressive Democratic Students’ Union (PDSU) has called for a comprehensive inquiry into the role of educational commissions, notably the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE).

PDSU leaders claimed that despite the mandate of these bodies to regulate and ensure accessible education for all, they had failed to act in the students’ interest which had led to massive fee hikes and procedural inefficiencies. The union claimed that the system succumbed to commercial interests.

“The unchecked rise in fees is squeezing students financially and creating a divide in access to quality education. The government must take immediate corrective measures,” said Rajeshwar Babu, state president, PDSU.

Concerns were also voiced regarding the delay in scholarships and other benefits meant for economically disadvantaged students. PDSU leaders suggested that the implementation of these programmes often fell short due to systemic lapses. “Students have been waiting for their scholarships for months now, while educational institutions continue to impose heavy fees. This is unacceptable,” remarked Alekya Vaidya, PDSU’s state general secretary.

The union said that education should not be treated as a business venture. “Education is a right, not a privilege. We demand an end to commercialisation and transparency in fee regulations,” Vaidya added, urging regulatory bodies to act in accordance with their mandate.

They also demanded that the state immediately form a special commission to investigate allegations against education councils and their role in fee imbalances. This, they said, was crucial to restoring faith in Telangana’s education system and ensuring that students are not driven to financial distress in the pursuit of higher studies.