Hyderabad, November 3 — With no resolution in sight, Telangana’s private higher-education sector has erupted into a full-scale shutdown. The Federation of Private Higher Education Institutions (FATHI) has begun an indefinite strike today, accusing the state government of failing to release ₹900 crore in pending fee-reimbursement arrears.
A Crisis Years in the Making
For months, negotiations between FATHI and the government have gone nowhere. The federation represents hundreds of private colleges offering engineering, pharmacy, management, law, B.Ed., M.Ed., degree, polytechnic, and ITI courses. These colleges rely heavily on the state’s fee-reimbursement program that subsidizes education for underprivileged students.
FATHI alleges that nearly ₹12,000 crore in total dues have piled up, crippling institutions financially. College managements say they are unable to pay salaries or maintain operations, and many faculty members have already issued formal notices over non-payment.
“This Is About Survival”
FATHI Chairman Ramesh Babu said the strike was not an act of defiance but a fight for survival. Despite multiple meetings and promises, the government failed to act before Sunday’s deadline. Instead, several colleges were subjected to vigilance raids, which FATHI called “unjustified and intimidating.”
Vice-President Aljapur Srinivas went a step further, warning that prolonged neglect of higher education could trigger student-led protests reminiscent of Telangana’s earlier political movements.
The Human Cost
The shutdown’s ripple effects are massive:
- 10 lakh students face disrupted classes, delayed exams, and uncertainty over semester schedules.
- 1.5 lakh teachers and staff fear job insecurity and months of unpaid wages.
- Parents are caught between empathy for faculty and frustration at stalled academics.
The federation has already urged universities to postpone upcoming examinations, anticipating an escalation if the government does not release funds soon.
Government’s Stand
The state maintains that audits and verifications are necessary before disbursement to ensure accountability. Officials insist that certain colleges have discrepancies in enrollment and infrastructure claims, prompting vigilance checks. However, the blanket raids have been seen by FATHI as “blackmailing tactics”, deepening the trust deficit.
What’s at Stake for Telangana
If unresolved, the impasse could undermine Telangana’s image as a hub for technical and professional education. Private colleges account for a majority of professional seats in the state, and any prolonged shutdown could affect placements, semester timelines, and the credibility of degrees issued this academic year.
Beyond the immediate standoff, this crisis also spotlights India’s fragile model of public-private education finance — where colleges depend on delayed government reimbursements to serve low-income students.
The Way Forward
Experts suggest a multi-step solution:
- Immediate release of at least ₹900 crore as a goodwill gesture.
- Creation of an escrow or “Education Trust Fund” for predictable payments.
- Joint audit teams to ensure transparency while keeping institutions running.
- A communication cell between the government, students, and institutions to prevent misinformation.
Conclusion
Telangana now stands at a crossroads. FATHI’s shutdown is not merely a protest; it’s a plea for sustainability in a system stretched thin between welfare promises and financial paralysis. Unless urgent steps are taken, the state risks losing not just classroom days but the confidence of an entire academic generation.
