Institutions try to hurry up before next bout of protests Schools, colleges and universities in the Telangana region have cut short their winter vacation to compensate for the loss of working days lost during the bandhs.

They have declared two days off for Sankranti on January 16 and 17. Usually the students and the teaching fraternity enjoy a twoweek Sankranti vacation. The institutions did not declare Christmas holidays this time either.  Holidays cut short in TMost schools did not declare even a single holiday for Christmas as the festival fell on a Sunday. Even the engineering and pharmacy colleges affiliated to JNTUHyderabad have been conducting semester exams and classes for students simultaneously to complete the syllabus on time.  With indications of the T-agitation getting revived after Sankranti, the institutions have geared up to complete the syllabus by the end of January.The educational institutions in the T-region are functioning without a break since October 25, after the 42-day old indefinite strike by T-employee unions Sakala Janula Samme.
Some schools are working on second Saturdays and Sundays. Government schools, which follow public holidays, have been working without a break since October 25, as the teachers and lecturers have reached an understanding with the government over working on holidays to compensate for time lost during the Sakala Janula Samme.While the government has declared Sankranti holidays for schools in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions from January 10 to 18, Telangana regions will observe a holiday from January 13 to 17. However, most of the private schools in the city have sent SMSs to parents informing them about the two-day holiday on January 16 and 17. With the New Year’s day falling on Sunday, there is no need for the managements to declare a holiday on January 1. All the schools, colleges and universities will function normally from January 2. “We have only been able to complete 80 per cent of the syllabus for SSC and Intermediate students.The remaining will be covered by the end of January,” said Suryanarayana Raju, spokesperson of an educational group.“We plan to ensure that the syllabus is completed in January so that students will not be affected if the T-agitation intensifies from February,” Mr Raju said.All work, no play Only two days off for Sankranti on Jan. 16, 17 Educational institutions in T-region functioning without a break since Oct. 25