MAY 30 - The stated purpose of student unions all over the world is to campaign for the well-being of students in colleges and universities. It is to negotiate with the authorities when they act in ways that run counter to the interests of students and help establish adequate facilities for study and recreation. Furthermore, in many countries with unstable or repressive political systems, student unions act as vehicles through which the broader aspirations of students manifest. Unions help students make sense of their grievances and hopes and socialise them into being participants in the broader political process. This has been true for Nepal as well. Student unions have historically played highly significant roles in movements against oppressive regimes. Large numbers of Nepalis have gained knowledge of their society and its politics through participation in student unions. Most senior leaders today gained entry into politics through youthful participation in unions. There are those who criticise all infiltration of politics into universities and colleges. But given the importance of unions in the political socialisation of youth, such criticisms are wrongheaded. This is not to say that student unions in Nepal are functioning in a manner that is beneficial to the larger student body and society. In fact, student politics in Nepal is highly dysfunctional. The demands of political competition have far superseded any concern for the well-being of students. Student unions are acting as proxies for political parties and universities and colleges have turned into battlegrounds where each party tries to assert its dominance. This is being clearly seen in recent days when student unions are actively preparing for elections. There was first the case where anarchy prevailed in campuses around the valley when a number of unions forced the administration to admit their supporters. These supporters sought admission not for study but only to vote for the parties they supported. Now, there is even more chaos. The CPN-Maoist has forcefully closed over 20 colleges, demanding that those recently admitted not be allowed to vote in the upcoming elections. The UCPN (Maoist), in return, has demanded that these colleges be reopened. In order to push for their demand, the UCPN (Maoist) has absurdly forced the closure of over 10 other colleges. In the meantime, the education system has been severely disrupted. Students who are genuinely concerned about getting an education have suffered the most. The parent parties have simply stood by, encouraging hard-edged competition between the student unions. Without any political support, the administrations at these colleges are finding it difficult to assert their authority and ensure smooth functioning. This is an unfortunate state of affairs. It is clear that significant reform of student unions undertaken from the very top is necessary to prevent the slide of colleges into sites of anarchy and chaos.
Posted on: Thu, 30 May 2013 04:32:57 +0000
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