Parents meet CM seeking re-opening of schools

A group of parents on Thursday submitted a representation to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at his camp office asking for re-opening of schools and colleges in the Telangana region, especially the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The parents complained that at least 40 working days have been lost during this academic year due to the Telangana agitation. They feared that lakhs of students would lose one full academic year if the strike continues. They said that the students would be forced to take mental strain to cover up the syllabus which could not be completed during the strike period.

The parents demanded that the Chief Minister issue directions to the managements of schools and colleges for immediate re-opening of their institutions. They said the government and officials concerned could not remain silent when lakhs of students are on the verge of losing their academic year. They wanted the institutions to be re-opened under tight police security.

The Chief Minister informed the parents that he has already appealed to the TJAC to withdraw the general strike which has been affecting the students' community and parents' alike. He assured them that the State Government would take all measures to provide security to the schools which are re-opening.

Earlier, the Greater Hyderabad Schools Parents Association has appealed to the Telangana Joint Action Committee to exempt educational institutions from the general strike. They also questioned the TJAC on how it could insist for closure of schools when shopping malls, cinema theatres and wine shops are functioning normally. Stating that they were not against the formation of Telangana, they asked the TJAC not to play with the future and lives of lakhs of students in the region.