DYFI Calls Telangana Education Bandh Over School Mergers And Fee Exploitation

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Telangana and Left-affiliated student organisations called for a statewide bandh of educational institutions in Hyderabad and across Telangana on Friday, July 10, 2026. The strike was organized to protest against the state government's education policies, rising private school fees, and unresolved issues in the sector.

DYFI state president Kota Ramesh and secretary Anaganti Venkatesh led the call for the shutdown. The leaders demanded that the government immediately withdraw its controversial proposal to reduce the total number of government schools in the state from 27,000 down to just 4,000.

According to the DYFI leadership, the government's ongoing efforts to merge schools and shut down institutions citing low student enrolment have severely harmed public education. They further alleged that the failure to fill vacant posts within the Education department has pushed the state's public education system into a severe crisis.

The student activists also drew attention to the poor state of infrastructure in various government-run facilities. They pointed out that schools, junior colleges, Gurukul institutions, Model Schools, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), and other residential educational institutions are currently struggling with a severe shortage of basic amenities. Specifically, they highlighted the lack of proper school buildings, classrooms, toilets, and drinking water facilities.

To address the financial burden on families, the protesters demanded that the government curb fee exploitation by corporate educational institutions. They urged the state to bring in a formal fee regulation act. The student groups also expressed concern over the current lack of an Education Minister to oversee the department.

In anticipation of the protest, several schools across the state sent out notifications to parents on Thursday, July 9, 2026, informing them that classes would be suspended on Friday due to the bandh. The DYFI representatives appealed to local youth and students to actively participate in the strike to make it a success.