Student unions oppose clustering of govt colleges

Ranchi: Several student unions have started opposing the move of the higher and technical education department to restructure and cluster govt colleges in Jharkhand subject-wise as per the guidelines of the New Education Policy (NEP).In the recent past, the unions have submitted memorandums to various authorities and also protested at Ranchi University (RU).Aman Ahmad, vice-president of Jharkhand unit of National Students Union of India (NSUI), submitted memorandums at the offices of governor-cum-chancellor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and chief minister Hemant Soren.Ahmad said in the present system, humanities, science and commerce faculties are available within the same college providing the students with options to choose their subjects.“Under the proposed clustering system, the colleges would be restricted to limited subjects, forcing students to move to different colleges for different subjects. It will hurt poor students living in tribal areas. The additional transportation and accommodation expenses may compel many students to discontinue education. Girl students would also be impacted,” he said.All Jharkhand Students’ Union members on Monday burnt copies of the resolution and submitted a memorandum to the RU demanding that the education department should consult the educationists, teachers, parents and students before implementing the new scheme.

Ajsu-P state president Om Verma said, “There is also a proposal to surrender and reorganise teaching and the non- teaching staff despite the fact there is a shortage of employees in the universities.”When the proposal is implemented, Doranda College in Ranchi, which offers science, humanities and commerce subjects presently, would offer only physical science, mathematical science, life science, earth science, computer science, environmental science and education. Similarly, Marwari College in Ranchi would teach merely business studies and education.