All India Students’ Association has submitted a memorandum on March 28th, to the Department of Collegiate Education & Technical Education, Government of Karnataka. The officials from the department said that the isues would be taken higher up within the education department. The memorandum submission came at the end of a 2-month long campaign regarding education and student welfare across the city. The campaign took place at several colleges and universities across Bangalore, including MCC, BCU, Surana college, NIAS, APU, UVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT, RUAS, SJU, SJP, and Chinnappa Garden. The demands are:
- Allocate 6% of Karnataka’s GSDP to education, ensuring free education from KG to PG.
- Cap private college fees, roll back fee hikes, waive student loans, and eliminate extra exam and re-evaluation fees.
- Ensure dignified employment for all graduates. Colleges must ensure full placement in all technial courses.
- Implement free transport for students and scrapping recent transport fee hikes.
- Reinstate student unions and give students the right to participate in democratic processes.
- Immediately disburse delayed scholarships, reverse scholarship cuts, and resolve technical issues.
- Establish GSCASH committees in all institutions with the proper student representation.
The campaigns have majorly revolved around the issue of universal education and dignified employment. AISA believes that it is the government’s duty to provide universal education, guaranteed employment, and healthcare facilities. Governments that fail to deliver on these responsibilities should not collect taxes from ordinary people. The campaigns have thus been taken up to make students aware of their basic rights. Only with the participation of more and more students in achieving their rightful demands can the India of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Ambedkar can be built.
