Government Decides to Remove Student Organizations: Actions Taken and Voices of Opposition
The government has decided to remove party-affiliated student organizations from schools and universities within 60 days and establish independent student councils. Student organizations have protested this decision, calling it unconstitutional and against democratic values. Kedarbhakta Mathema, former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, stated that while partisan organizations are not necessary in universities, student governance is essential. April 20, Kathmandu.
The government is moving forward with the removal of party-affiliated student organizations from universities. As part of its 100-day action plan, the government announced it would eliminate these organizations from schools and universities within 60 days. Among the 100 reform programs, the government stated: “To address issues of partisan interference in education, lack of genuine student representation, and decline in educational quality, the structures of party-based student organizations will be removed within 60 days and independent mechanisms such as ‘Student Council’ or ‘Voice of Student’ will be developed within 90 days.” Taking a firm stance against partisan student bodies, the government has decided to vacate the facilities provided to student organizations inside university campuses within two months.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Sasmit Pokhrel, has directed vice-chancellors to vacate infrastructure allotted to student organizations within 60 days. This indicates the government’s preparation to establish independent bodies like a student council or voice of student by amending necessary rules regulating autonomous student unions within universities. Should any security challenges arise during the removal of party-affiliated organizations, the government has also decided to manage temporary or permanent security units within university campuses. However, debates for and against this decision have already begun.
The topic has sparked discussion on social media. Fourteen student organizations affiliated with various political parties have issued statements criticizing the government’s decision. While welcoming government prioritization of restructuring student movements, these groups argue that any decision imposing restrictions on freedom of thought, expression, and organization in the name of reform is immature, apolitical, unnatural, unconstitutional, and undemocratic.
