SFI alleges political disputes are delaying school committee elections in Andhra Pradesh

The Students’ Federation of India has criticised the postponement of School Management Committee elections in some Andhra Pradesh government schools, alleging that political disputes and clashes have disrupted the process. In a statement, SFI State president P. Ramamohan and secretary K.

Prasanna Kumar said the government should address incidents reported during elections in different parts of the State, including Eluru. The federation said an election in Santakavitti in Vizianagaram district was postponed after an argument between supporters of the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress Party. It also said voting in Nellimarla was halted after a clash involving TDP and Jana Sena groups.

SFI cited the election at the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Vaddadi, Anakapalli district, as another example of a process it said was postponed following a dispute between political groups. The federation also condemned the reported kidnapping of a headmaster in Thimmapuram village of Palnadu district. The supplied material does not include a response from the government, the political parties named or the police regarding the allegations.

It also does not state how many elections were postponed or when they might be rescheduled. SFI said School Management Committees should focus on school development and students’ problems rather than political control. It called for transparent and impartial elections that protect parents’ participation.

The organisation urged authorities to concentrate on basic infrastructure, teacher shortages and the quality of education. It said schools should be protected from political interference so that the committees can carry out their intended role.