Officials in Telangana raided and conducted surprise checks in 53 junior colleges on Tuesday to ensure that the institutes were not conducting special classes during the summer vacation declared by the state.
The colleges were inspected by District Intermediate Education Officers (DIEOs).
According to reports, B Jayaprada, the DIEO of Hyderabad, inspected 21 colleges, while other colleges were checked in Medchal and Ranga Reddy district, by their respective DIEOs.
The classrooms of several branches of Narayana Junior College, Sri Chaitanya Junior College and other institutes like Sri Gayatri Junior College and Velociity Junior College were locked by the DIEOs.
“In Hyderabad district, four colleges were locked down for conducting first and second year inter classes. Several of them were issued showcause notices and were strictly instructed to not conduct classes for incoming second-year students,” B Jayaprada was quoted as saying.
Those who were found conducting classes were also issued notices to meet the Secretary of the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE).
In a circular issued earlier this month, the TSBIE said that it will take strict action against private junior colleges that conduct classes during summer vacations.
The board said that the summer vacation would last from March 29 to May 31, to ensure that students are given a break from their stressful schedule.
TSBIE Secretary Dr A Ashok said that no classes should be held, except for students appearing for competitive examinations, who wanted to clear their doubts.
Earlier last year, the TSBIE had issued instructions and guidelines for all the Principals of Junior Colleges in the state.
The list of 14 rules, tackled various subjects, which result in stress on the students to reduce the number of suicides being reported across the state.
At the time, Deputy Chief Minister said that the BIE conducted an inquiry, and found that daily hectic schedules, lack of holidays, frequent weekly tests and lack of proper facilities in hostels were some of the leading causes leading to stress and suicides among the students.