PSU protests against charging students for education trip
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, March 5
Members of the Punjab Students Union (PSU) lodged a protest at Government Rajindra College and took out a march from the college campus to the District Administrative Complex against the authorities of Punjabi University, Patiala, over its alleged decision to pay Rs 575 for an educational tour to Science City in Kapurthala.
The members blocked the main entrance of the District Administrative Complex and later submitted a memorandum of demand to the Bathinda Deputy Commissioner.
State leader Sangeeta Rani and district president Kiran Kaur alleged that the university had issued directions to second year graduation students to pay Rs 575 for the educational tour. They said students of the college were against the decision which would burden students from economically-weaker families.
“How can you expect students to bear the tour expenses when they find it difficult to pay even the college fee. Apart from the tour fee, we will have to pay for food during the trip which not many students can do. We have also been told to compulsorily become part of the tour as it would have a bearing on our academic assessment,” Kiran said.
She said the students were helpless and had no alternative than to lodge a protest against the university authorities. “We also condemn the privatisation of education,” added Kiran. The union members stated that they would continue their protest until the authorities concerned revoked their decision.
