The challenge of student organizations is not to limit themselves to only political activities but to become active in real student issues. Student organizations should now redefine themselves not only as fraternal organizations of political parties, but as a mechanism to address the concerns of students. The lack of such leadership should be filled by the upcoming elections.
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What kind of image has been formed in the society now with the university student organization and independent student union (SWAVIU)? Self-study campus-university lock for months, asking for a share in the appointment of professors and officials, walking around with files on the day of connection, looking for commissions in infrastructure construction and even resorting to beatings if their interests are not met.
This is not the character of the students as a whole, but the image of the entire student community has been tarnished by this style of behavior. This is also the image of Swaviyu, which has started the practice of raising the rights and interests of students in an organized and systematic manner. Swaviyu's credibility is also at stake as it engages in all activities other than educational upgradation. Therefore, the Swaviyu elections to be held on the campus under Tribhuvan University on Chait 5 should be the starting point for correcting the current distortions and anomalies.
Swaviyu elections are being held in about 300 affiliated private and community campuses, including 62 affiliated universities. This election is an important democratic exercise in which representatives of around 4 lakh students will be elected.
Each campus and the highest body of the university will choose a student representative to be represented in the Senate. This election is also more important. However, the reputation of the student organization has decreased due to activities such as locking down the university for about 400 days, not allowing officials including the vice-chancellor to enter the office, physically attacking professors, interfering with appointments in universities and campuses, vandalizing and damaging educational infrastructures, violating the dignity of lectures and examinations. Now, organizations and students who are candidates for self-government should get out of the past trend of becoming an arena for political competition while ignoring issues like educational, physical infrastructure, and policy reforms.
25 student organizations have been registered with the Central Election Committee to participate in the Swaviyu elections. There is a provision that independent groups of students from outside the political party can also participate in the elections. However, the real issue of the students has been overshadowed as only the fraternal organizations of the political parties are dominant. The main objective of any student organization should be the welfare of the students. However, most of the organizations are run only according to the instructions of the party leaders, including factions/sub-factions within it.
Now SWIU elections should not be used as an arena for political parties to display their power and expand their influence. It is important for the parent parties of the student organizations to understand that SWVYU is an institutional body concerned with the rights and needs of students. Swaviyu should not produce loyal workers of political parties, but should be made a platform for the development of intelligent, highly moral leadership that is necessary for the country.
The main concern of students now is quality education. However, the academic environment in the university has not been improved. Exams are not conducted on time, results are being delayed, library and laboratory standards are deteriorating. Due to the inability to adopt a technology-based teaching system, it has not been possible to produce students who can compete at the international level. A large number of Nepali students are going abroad every year, raising questions about the quality of education.
Last year alone, more than 100,000 students took the Overseas Study Permit (NOC). More than one billion foreign currency is released annually for foreign studies. If the educational environment is good, not only the money going abroad for education will be avoided, but also the situation will be created where quality educational personnel will stay in Nepal.
Student organizations should take up these issues and play a role in reform. The challenge of student organizations is not to limit themselves to only political activities but to become active in real student issues. Student organizations should now redefine themselves not only as fraternal organizations of political parties, but as a mechanism to address the concerns of students. The lack of such leadership should be filled by the upcoming elections.
