Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy assured that his government would not allow Polytechnic student reforms to harm students. He said the changes would instead strengthen skills, practical training and employment opportunities.
Speaking at a Teachers’ Day programme in Kodangal, Revanth said the government had changed the polytechnic curriculum. Therefore, it was bringing polytechnics under the Skill University framework.
He said the new system would have 50 per cent classroom syllabus and 50 per cent practical training. Moreover, the government was linking students with corporate companies to improve their skills.
Revanth said students undergoing the programme were receiving an ₹8,000 stipend. He also said polytechnic qualifications could create employment opportunities in countries such as Japan and Germany.
Furthermore, he said polytechnic students could directly enter the second year of engineering courses. He accused some political leaders of using students for their own interests and trying to pressure the government.
Polytechnic student reforms focus on skills, jobs
Revanth said 95 per cent of seats in polytechnic colleges had already been filled. He also highlighted the government’s broader focus on technical and vocational education. The government had converted ITIs into Advanced Technology Centres, he said. According to the Chief Minister, students trained at these centres were finding jobs faster.
Revanth also called for adopting the National Education Policy from nursery to Class 12. In addition, he said the government would introduce more reforms in the education system.
The Chief Minister said teachers played a central role in shaping children’s growth and future. He described former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s life as an inspiration. He also said enrolments in government schools had increased since Congress came to power.
Revanth claimed Telangana stood 28th nationally in education when his government took office in 2023. He said the State had since moved to 17th position and credited teachers for the improvement.
The Chief Minister said many successful doctors, engineers, Chief Ministers and Prime Ministers had studied in government schools. He also recalled that he studied at a government school in Wanaparthy before becoming Telangana Chief Minister.
Revanth said teachers could influence public opinion about any government. However, he said he felt deeply hurt when teachers had earlier staged a protest.
He said his government recruited 10,000 new teachers within 55 days after he became Chief Minister. Additionally, he said the government addressed long-pending promotions and transfers.
According to Revanth, teachers had faced delays in promotions and transfers for 15 to 20 years. He said his administration granted promotions and addressed transfer problems linked to GO 317.
Teachers hold our political answer sheets: Revanth
Referring to elections, Revanth compared politics to an examination held every five years. He remarked that teachers would ultimately evaluate the political “answer sheets” of his government.
He said elections could take place in December 2028 or March 2029. Therefore, he sought two years to resolve all outstanding problems faced by teachers. Revanth said teachers could judge his performance at the next election if he failed to address their concerns.
The Chief Minister also said the government would resolve issues involving the Pay Revision Commission, salaries and allowances without waiting for demands.
Meanwhile, he said the government had sent teachers abroad to study education systems and reforms in other countries. Revanth said the government honoured 123 best teachers on Teachers’ Day.
Revanth targets previous BRS government
The Chief Minister also targeted the previous government over Telangana’s finances. He alleged that one family had left the State with debts exceeding ₹7 lakh crore during its decade in power.
Revanth said hundreds of employees retired every month. He added that the government faced an average liability of about ₹1 crore for each retiring employee.
He accused leaders of the previous administration of leaving behind huge debts and remaining at their farmhouse. In contrast, he said his government had released retirement benefits to employees after taking office.
Revanth also said he had not taken a single day off during the government’s 1,000 days in office. He then indirectly targeted K. Chandrashekar Rao, saying another leader had not come out even once during those 1,000 days.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Polytechnic student reforms would focus on students’ interests. He maintained that the government would continue education reforms while protecting their academic and employment opportunities.