Students Hit the Streets Against Privatization of Education

Road blockade at Doranda College against Clustering of Colleges and Higher Education Department resolution

Ranchi: Students of Doranda College, under the leadership of AISA and various student organizations, staged a road blockade on Monday protesting against the Clustering of Colleges system and other provisions of the Higher and Technical Education Department’s resolution. The protesters alleged that the policy aims to promote privatization of education, reduce seats, and weaken multidisciplinary education by separating subjects and faculties.

Addressing the demonstration, AISA State Secretary Trilokinath said that linking the cluster system with funding was an attack on the rights of the state. He stated that students, teachers, and employees would be forced to move away from their parent campuses to other colleges, increasing financial burdens and adversely affecting studies.

AISA Ranchi District President Vijay Kumar alleged that the resolution seeks to restrict admissions, reduce the scope of colleges, and cut permanent teaching and non-teaching posts. He claimed that dividing subjects into separate faculties would push students towards private institutions where high fees are charged.

AISA District Secretary Sanjana Mehta said that the multiple entry-exit system introduced under the four-year undergraduate programme has failed to provide practical benefits to students. She added that a shortage of research supervisors is depriving deserving students of opportunities in research, while regular courses are being replaced by self-financed programmes.

Doranda College in-charge Sonali Kewat said that implementation of the resolution would make education, especially in the faculty sector, more expensive. She warned that regional languages and important subjects like Statistics are on the verge of closure, while universities are already struggling with a severe shortage of teachers.

AISA activist Shubh described the protest as the beginning of a larger movement against the Cluster System and other provisions of the resolution. He said awareness drives, signature campaigns, and protests would be organized across colleges, universities, and districts. If the demands are not met, students from universities and colleges across Jharkhand would unite for larger demonstrations, including a march to the Assembly and a Raj Bhavan gherao.