16-06-2025 12:00:00 AM
Students scoring below 90%—particularly those in the BiPC stream—are now being shifted to other campuses
EKALAVYA MALLEPALLI I hyderabad
The craze for ranks and marks has also hit the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS). It has informed the students of SC Welfare Residential Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Gowlidoddi who secured less than 90 per cent marks in Intermediate First Year that they would be shifted to other campuses.
During a protest staged outside the Gowlidoddi campus on the city’s outskirts, parents expressed anguish over the move, calling it abrupt, discriminatory, and harmful to the aspirations of Scheduled Caste (SC) students who had worked hard to gain admission. The students had secured seats at the CoE after clearing competitive Preliminary and Mains entrance exams, and were assured two years of free Intermediate education with IIT/NEET coaching.
However, many students scoring below 90%—particularly those in the BiPC stream—are now being shifted to other campuses, such as Mahendra Hills, or are being asked to find alternative institutions. Despite the transfers, students are expected to write their board exams from Gowlidoddi, leaving parents confused and frustrated. It may be mentioned that in the 1980s, students of the then Andhra Pradesh Residential Educational Institutions Society (APREIS) who were unable to cope up were given special coaching for 6-8 months but not remove them.
“Where is the official G.O. that mandates this 90% rule?” asked one parent. “Why is this rule being enforced only in SC institutions and not in BC, Tribal or Minority colleges?” Parents fear the decision could derail their children’s dreams of becoming doctors and engineers, especially since most had joined with the hope of quality coaching and academic stability. They pointed out that nearly 80% of the syllabus covered so far was focused on IIT/NEET preparation, not Intermediate board subjects. “How can their performance be judged solely on Intermediate marks?” questioned another parent.
“The decision was made purely with the intention of improving student outcomes and securing better results in IIT and NEET,” an official said. “Around 80% of the students have already moved to the Chilkur campus. Those who scored below 70% in their Intermediate First Year were given the option to shift to other campuses. High-performing students may be brought back later, based on their potential for engineering or medical streams.”
He explained that the administration aimed to create a more focused academic environment by dividing students across different campuses according to their chosen stream. “JEE and NEET coaching will now be conducted separately for boys and girls across four campuses, helping students maintain a streamlined mind-set,” he added.
“We are encouraging parents to accept this change, as we believe it is in the best interest of their children. Despite our assurances that all campuses will have similar facilities and the move will benefit students, some parents continue to protest and insist their children remain at Gowlidoddi,” the official stated.
Despite administrative assurances of equal facilities at all campuses, parents remain unconvinced. They appealed to SC Welfare Secretary Alugu Varshini to intervene and ensure that second-year classes continue at Gowlidoddi for all students. Parents warned of launching an indefinite hunger strike if the decision is not revoked.