Tribhuvan University Bodies Disagree on Dismantling Student Union Structures

Kathmandu. There is a difference of opinion between two bodies of Tribhuvan University (TU) on the issue of removing the structures of party-affiliated student organizations. A difference of opinion has arisen between the TU Student Welfare and Sports Directorate and the TU Registrar's Office regarding the notice issued.

The TU Student Welfare and Sports Directorate has directed the removal of party-affiliated student organization structures on Monday. However, the TU Registrar's Office, in the details provided to the University Grants Commission, states that party-affiliated student organizations are not officially allowed to utilize any structures.

The Registrar's Office further stated in the details provided to the Grants Commission that if any such structures are found to be built in any campus, a letter has been sent to remove them immediately.

The TU Registrar's Office, in order to solve the problems of party interference in the education sector, students' real voices not being heard, and decline in educational quality, has stated that within 60 days, party-affiliated student organization structures will be removed from school/university premises and within 90 days, a student council mechanism will be developed, as per the provisions in the Tribhuvan University Act, 2049 (amended up to Ashar 11, 2077) and TU Organization and Educational Administration Rules, 2050 (amended up to Ashar 12, 2080). It has been stated that every campus has an Independent Students' Union, but party-affiliated student organizations are not officially allowed to utilize any structures.

The notice states, 'As per Article 8, Sub-section 2 of Chapter 3 of the Tribhuvan University Act, 2049 (amended up to Ashar 11, 2077), two members from among the chairpersons of the University's Independent Students' Union will be members of the TU Senate, and Chapter 81, 82, and 83 of the TU Organization and Educational Administration Rules, 2050 (amended up to Ashar 12, 2080) make provisions regarding the Independent Students' Union.'

Meanwhile, the Student Welfare and Sports Directorate under the TU Vice-Chancellor's office has issued a letter to all departmental heads, giving instructions on this matter.

It is understood that TU has taken this step based on the directive letters from the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The letter signed by Deputy Instructor Sandesh Kumar Regmi of the Directorate states that this decision has been made to end political party interference in the education sector, to address the real problems and voices of students appropriately, and to improve the declining educational quality.

As per the directive, all structures of party-affiliated student organizations within university and school premises must be completely removed within the next 60 days.

Similarly, within 90 days of removing the party structures, a new mechanism called 'Student Council' or 'Voice of Student' will be developed to ensure the common and independent representation of students.