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Tuesday, March 29, 2016, Chaitra 15, 1422 BS, Jamadius Sani 19, 1437 Hijri


Reckless student politics in educational institutions (Final part)
Md Atikur Rahman
Published :Tuesday, 29 March, 2016,  Time : 12:00 AM  View Count : 14
Students' indiscipline is something ailed to our cultural ethos. Our rich cultural history is proof of the high regard that students had for their teachers and the concern, the teacher had in turn for his students. Thus, we all know how Eklavya sacrificed his thumb as an offering to his Guru Dronacharya, who had the welfare of his pupil Arjuna at heart. This bond has indeed been broken to shreds and it is this materialistic society, which is responsible for the present state of affair. The problem has assumed gigantic proportions and threatens to vitiate and destroy academic atmosphere of these institutions. It is quite common to see students resorting to strikes, boycotting examinations and ever taking law into their own hands, for sometimes real, but quite often imaginary grievances. They behave more like industrial and political workers, rather than as students. To understand this metamorphosis; we shall have to examine the causes for this radical transformation.
Students today are a more pampered and doted lot by their parents. This makes them at times get unreasonable protection for them, thus distorting their value system of right or wrong. To add to this, we have excessive external influence of powerful people, to safeguard the interest of misguided elements. Thus, making to task of enforcing discipline in the campus is arduous.
To compound the problem further, we have influence of political parties, who use the students as their political cadres. The political leaders of all hues instigate students to take to the streets to further their political causes. They thus use them as fodder to further their own political ambitions. This evil influence has politicalised the entire education spectrum, with teachers conspiring among themselves, students and the administration. The students are more often, used as pawns in their internal squabbles. This affects their studies, and with future prospects becoming dim, a sense of frustration sets in, which occasionally finds vent in violent outbursts.
There is, however, a malady for this ill, but it requires a strong resolve and a political will to address the problem, before it becomes unmanageable. As a first step there is need for a clear education policy, stressing more on vocational and professional education. This will ensure that only serious students go for higher studies, while the non-serious one can opt for vocational and professional training. It will reduce the strength of students in colleges and universities and help in safeguarding the sanctity of these institutions. The vocational training at the same time will help other students, by preparing them better for life, taking care of their frustration.
The government should show the political will, in banning party politics by students and teachers; moreover these educational institutions are the temples of learning and should at best be lift to academicians. There should be minimum interference by administration or any other external authority.
There should also be periodic parent teacher's interaction, so that the parents are apprised of the performance of their wards. The last but the most important being the role of teachers. They should restrain from ungentlemanly acts, like going on strikes, practicing unfair means to accumulate wealth etc. These are highly unbecoming qualities of a teacher. They should be a real guru, in the true sense of the world, setting an example for the pupils to emulate.
This is the only panacea, which can help us to get rid of the indiscipline behavior of students. It, however, calls for a determined effort on the part of all of us, to appreciate the gravity of the problem. We must rise above our narrow self, political interest and restore the sanctity of these educational institutions. This would make the students passing out from such hallowed portals, low abiding and disciplined citizens, worthy of being torch bearers of the nation.
In spite of above discussion, particularly arguments in against student's politics and students discipline, we must not be forgotten that the principal duty of the student is to mind his lessons and not to take part in public affairs. He is to acquire knowledge to train up his mind and to prepare him for the duties of life. It he takes too prominent a part in political affairs, he/she cannot but deflect from his/her main occupation. However, there is a demarcation between taking an intelligent interest in politics and taking part in public affairs. This line should never be crossed.

The writer is Librarian & Columnist, BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology.









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