Birendra Shah,
kathmandu : Today, Nepal’s student movement has become a reflection of the dirty and disgraceful parliamentary politics. To preserve the dignity and history of the student movement, it’s crucial to move forward with a renewed commitment. The last partial student union election took place in 2073 B.S.
and on Chaitra 5, 2079, the next student union election was held. We all know that the student union was established through great sacrifice, dedication, and bravery. Today, the administration of Tribhuvan University, along with student organizations close to parliamentary parties, is working to erase the existence of the student union.
They have historically played a game of mock elections, only to disrupt them. Since its establishment, the student union has played a critical role not only against the university’s corruption but also in major political changes in the country. The recent election on Chaitra 5 should have marked a break from the past, but instead, it continued the same old legacy. Unfortunately, it couldn’t stop the dishonoring of the once-glorious student union. The following issues will be essential in the upcoming student union elections.
Establishing a New Culture in Universities/Campuses:
In the towns and cities where universities and campuses exist, a new civilized culture should emerge. However, a distorted culture has taken deep root in our universities today. Movements are staged not for students’ legitimate demands, but to serve party, organizational, and personal interests, leading to months-long strikes, bullying, and hooliganism. Students aim to become leaders through force, and professors and staff neglect their responsibilities. The student union plays a key role in fighting against such distortions and in promoting a culture of learning, research, and inquiry in universities/campuses. But this is impossible with the continuation of the old legacy of the student union. For this, it’s necessary for all parties to be committed to move the student union forward with clear ideas, perspectives, and proposals. Only then can a beautiful culture that leads society toward progress be established in educational institutions.
Ending Political Favoritism in Universities:
A student union that stands firmly against the political favoritism rampant in universities is needed today—not one that engages in such practices. The student union should accept the challenge of ensuring that university officials are appointed based on merit, capability, and seniority, and competition, not political connections. A student union that eliminates this kind of political favoritism in universities is essential today.
Protection of Public Property in Universities/Campuses:
The public properties of universities and community/government campuses, built from the taxes and fees paid by our parents, are being misused with the collusion of campus administrations. Even past student union representatives have been complicit in this. For instance, land belonging to Tribhuvan University’s central campus has been leased to businessmen for years at dirt-cheap prices, with no accountability. Similar situations exist in affiliated and community campuses across the country. The student union has a vital role to play in protecting public property.
Implementing the Annual Calendar:
Currently, the university’s annual calendar is on one side, and the university’s activities and operations are on another. A student union that continually fights for timely admissions, classes, exams, and the publication of results is needed for students. The student union should take the initiative to solve all these problems.
Promoting Creative and Constructive Work:
A university is not just a place confined to a specific curriculum. However, today, there is a void in universities/campuses. Students come with their bags, attend classes, and leave. The student union should push for creative and constructive activities in universities/campuses, which were not seen in the past. Universities and campuses should be developed as places for the flowering of human potential, and the student union can serve as an important foundation for this.
Reforming the Education System:
Today, university curricula are copied from foreign models. The student union must initiate a new debate on education that suits the soil, promotes a culture of labor, and serves the interests of people and nature, based on justice, freedom, and equality. The student union should help prepare the groundwork for a campaign to abolish the outdated, foreign-copied education system and establish a scientific education system that meets the needs of the country today. The student union must become a force to raise awareness in favor of affordable, scientific, and practical education.
Abolishing the Election System Based on Money and Influence:
The current student union elections in universities/campuses are exact replicas of parliamentary elections. Candidates must personally gather money to win. They must provide alcohol, meat, bike fuel, and snacks to their followers, and even bribe non-students to create noise and disruption.
It’s reported that student organizations aligned with parliamentary parties are enrolling students solely to cast votes, funded by large sums from party headquarters. In such an electoral system, honest, diligent, and hardworking students from any organization cannot dare to contest elections. What is needed today is a proportional student union election system.
Though it may initially seem like the same parliamentary flaws will carry over, proportional student union elections have become essential to protect the existence of the student union. Though the current mixed election system is a significant achievement after much struggle, the proportional system is the crucial basis for preserving the student union’s existence.
From another angle, the proportional system ensures the respectful participation of all sides, prohibits individualistic thinking and tendencies, ensures representation of all votes cast in the election, and ends the dominance of money and influence, keeping regular students in control.
A Student Union that Speaks for the People and National Interests
Looking back at history, the student union was once a legitimate front that not only fought for student rights but also spoke out against the Panchayat system and monarchy. Times and circumstances have changed, but the condition of the common people and the country remains the same. Various treasonous treaties and agreements have been made in the country. Instead of fighting against these, the leaders of student organizations affiliated with parliamentary parties have become witnesses and accomplices to every national betrayal committed by their parties and leaders. In such a situation, the revival of a student union that raises a strong voice against every national betrayal is urgently needed. Corruption, bribery, and broker culture have exceeded all limits; violence, rape, and looting are widespread. Social ills have increased. The youth are trapped in drug addiction. The lives of farmers, workers, and landless people have become extremely difficult. In such a dire situation, a student union is needed that speaks out for the common people’s suffering, fights for justice, and knocks on the doors of the state.
Justifying the Existence of the Student Union:
Today, the student union is on the verge of dissolution, with its existence fading away. Past elected representatives tarnished the proud history of the student union. The current ones are engaged in corruption, blocking development work, and manipulating campus recruitment. A student union that stands firm against such activities and amplifies the genuine voice of students while fighting against all the distortions in campuses is what is needed today. Furthermore, the student union must play a role in bringing education under the full responsibility of the state, ensuring student rights and guarantees, and stopping foreign intervention in education. The student union can only justify its existence by fearlessly taking to the streets for justice, freedom, and equality, along with legitimate student demands. Thus, it will be possible to revive the proud history of the student union and justify its existence, which is on the brink of dissolution.
