Polytechnic Students Protest Outside SBTET Office in Hyderabad Over GO 97

Students pursuing polytechnic courses staged a protest outside the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET) office in Hyderabad on Monday, demanding the withdrawal of government order (GO) 97. The demonstration was organized over fears that the order threatens the existing three-year diploma structure and the lateral-entry route into engineering degree programmes.

The protesting students and their representatives, including members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), voiced strong opposition to the policy, stating that it has created significant uncertainty regarding their academic future. Demonstrators raised concerns over any prospective move to replace the established three-year diploma programme with short-term certificate courses spanning six months or one year.

Student representatives stated that GO 97 has left polytechnic students across the state unclear about the duration of their courses and their future academic progression. They called on the state government to issue formal clarifications ensuring that the traditional diploma framework remains unchanged and that students retain the right to lateral entry into degree programmes.

Prithvi, ABVP Greater Hyderabad city secretary, stated during the demonstration that students should not be left in ambiguity. He demanded that the government clarify whether the three-year diploma programme and the lateral-entry system will continue as before.

The protesters reiterated that diploma holders must be given clear assurances that they will continue to have the option of joining engineering degree courses through lateral entry. Prithvi noted that the government must address these concerns promptly and issue written assurances to put an end to the confusion surrounding the order.