Left Student Groups Call for Nationwide Students' Strike on July 4 Over Declining Education Standards
The Left-backed students’ organization, SFI, has called Countrywide Students’ strike on July 4. The strike will be observed demanding the cancellation of the NTA and the resignation of the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. A similar strike will also be observed in Tripura on July 4, said State SFI secretary Sandipan Deb.
Addressing a press meet in Agartala on Monday, SFI (Students' Federation of India) and TSU (Tribal Students' Union), have issued a stern critique of the current state government, alleging a significant decline in the quality of the state's education system. The SFI-TSU leaders urged students from various schools and colleges across the state to boycott classes on July 4 and join the Left movement.
Deb said apart from demands of scrapping of the NTA and the resignation of Pradhan, the SFI and TSU are also raising voices against shortage of school teachers and ‘poor’ performance of the Vidyajyoti Mission.
Highlighting the condition of the education system, he said, "In protest against the deteriorating education system in the country, SFI has, at an All India level, decided to initiate a protest movement on July 4 nationwide. We are organizing a similar movement in our state to involve students in this nationwide effort.”
Deb pointed out the government schools and colleges in Tripura are suffering from a severe shortage of teachers, and the government's Vidyajyoti School project has exacerbated the problems for students.
He criticized the Mission Vidyajyoti project launched by the BJP-led Government in Tripura, labelling it a complete failure in providing quality education.
"The project has forced at least 50% of students to shift to TBSE schools in Tripura, as they had no other alternative," Deb alleged and accused the state government of deliberately ignoring the poor performance of students of the schools under the Vidyajyoti Mission in the recent board examinations.
Deb raised additional concerns regarding national examinations such as NEET-UG and UGC-NET. He called for the abolition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
"The SFI has highlighted a series of mishaps and misconduct by the NTA, including the postponement of the NEET PG examination, which has further aggravated the situation," Deb added.
(Tripura, Tripura News)