Student Unions Urge Andhra Pradesh Govt to Hold Campus Elections

Quick Summary

• Leaders of Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU), and All India Students’ Federation (AISF) have condemned a circular by the Andhra Pradesh State government.
• The circular restricts individuals or groups from entering school premises without prior permission from the headmaster or institution head.
• During a press conference at MCA Bhavan in Ongole, student union leaders demanded the immediate revocation of this order.
• PDSU State Vice-President L.Rajasekhar criticized the government for allegedly trying to control student unions that have been operational for over 70 years, advocating for elections in educational institutions and raising demands related to rights like proper infrastructure, funding, and jobs after studies.
• SFI State Vice-President CH. Vinod Kumar questioned exorbitant fees imposed by private schools and called attention to suicides among students in corporate education systems as critical issues requiring action.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The issued circular limiting access to school premises appears aimed at maintaining order within educational institutions but has sparked meaningful criticism from major student unions who view it as restrictive and “undemocratic.” Student union leaders argue that their intermediary role between students and authorities is essential for addressing longstanding issues such as lack of infrastructure, high private schooling fees, unregulated mushrooming schools, mid-day meal funding gaps, and mental health concerns linked with academic pressure in corporate institutions. Their call to revoke this order presents an intersection between governance priorities concerning education policy management versus advocacy dynamics built around participatory rights through unions-a balancing act that may hold wider implications for democratic processes within academia in Andhra Pradesh.

Read more: The Hindu