The present society is witnessing turmoil in almost all spheres. The reasons are not far to seek. Life has become complicated with the rise in population, seconded by problems like unemployment, poverty, fanaticism, and many others. In such a tricky situation, the campus cannot be an exception. When we were students at the college and university level, there were disturbances on the campus on occasion due to various reasons. But the number of disturbances seems to have increased in recent times on the campus. Let us try to find out the reasons for the current state of affairs:
- Rise in population – The population of India has grown considerably and alarmingly since independence. From 340 million at the time of independence, it has grown to a whopping figure of 1.4 billion today. As per statistics, it almost doubled during the period from 1951 to 1981. Though population growth has slowed down a little after the 80s, it may even surpass the population of China in the near future, turning out to be number one in the world.
The population explosion has had its impact on Indian society. It has given rise to unemployment and the growth of more and more educational institutions, with the need to increase seats in them periodically to accommodate the students. The more the population, the more will be the rush on the campus, resulting in turmoil for various reasons. In such a situation, it is also not possible to maintain quality education. To cater to the needs of such a huge population, manpower and infrastructure are badly needed. What to speak of rural India, even in urban areas, minimum facilities like trained teachers, classrooms, and infrastructure cannot be made available to the students, which often leads to discontent and subsequent turmoil. It is really difficult on the part of the government to cope with such a tricky situation arising out of the rapid population explosion. - Rise in unemployment – Growth in population has automatically led to a rise in unemployment. It has been difficult to provide quality education to the youth, who, even after higher education, remain unemployed and underemployed. It is seen that they are not being fully prepared to meet the needs of the job market. The educational institutions lack the manpower and infrastructure to attend to the students coming in such large numbers.
When we were students, there was hardly any craze for technical education. The job market was less competitive, and students could get into jobs after hard work and good preparation. But in recent times, there has been a craze for technical education because of the uncertainty of the job market. General education has taken a back seat. The craze for technical education has led to a rise in the growth of technical institutions and students on the campus, and this overcrowding often leads to disturbances. - Rise in educational institutions – There has been a constant rise in the number of educational institutions in India since independence to cater to the needs of more and more students emerging every year. The trend can be seen both in the government and private sectors. In recent times, since the thrust has been on technical education, private parties have joined the race. Big towns and cities are leading in the matter. During the last fifteen to twenty years, the rise of technical institutions in a capital city like Bhubaneswar has been noticeable, what to speak of the metropolitan and other big cities. Turmoil and disturbances are a natural sequel to such a situation.
- Interference of political parties – Politics on the campus is one of the main reasons for turmoil on the campus. Most political parties have their students’ wings, and the student leaders, owing allegiance to their respective parties, interfere in the affairs of the college or university, thereby augmenting disputes. Elections in educational institutions, mostly at the higher level, have often led to turmoil on the campus. Elections as such in educational institutions may not be bad. But who will ensure the non-interference of political parties in them?
- Lack of facilities – Keeping in view the huge and burgeoning population, facilities in educational institutions in India can hardly be called adequate. Shortage of classrooms, trained and qualified teachers, libraries, laboratories, and infrastructure is a common problem in the institutions. Of course, private institutions try to provide the latest and maximum facilities to attract students and accordingly charge a higher rate of fees, which everybody cannot afford. Lack of facilities leading to discontent is a major reason for turmoil on the campus.
- Change in attitude – Both teachers and students seem to have undergone a change in their attitude towards education. Twenty to twenty-five years ago, at the college and university level, there was hardly any importance on tuition and coaching. Teachers were giving full time to the students. But now, their time must be divided between the classroom and the coaching class. As far as students are concerned, they go through a phase of uncertainty, and this often leads them to frustration. Earlier, they were sure of getting jobs after they passed out. This feeling of insecurity and uncertainty may be a reason for their taking recourse to negative action and turmoil. The feeling that education is more a citizen-building process than an instrument for landing a job may create a positive environment on the campus.
- Monopoly in management – In government institutions, monopoly in management is restricted as they have to follow rules and regulations of the government, though it may not be foolproof. In private institutions, there may be monopoly in management as the owner or his management committee takes decisions on their own, which may often lead to disputes with the students.
- Lack of uniformity – Though government institutions have to maintain some sort of uniformity, private institutions do not seem to follow any uniform pattern in rules and regulations or fees. It is seen that when, in peak summer, the government schools and colleges are declared closed, the private ones go on holding classes and even examinations. This may often lead to discontent and turmoil.
- Lack of government control – Though the government and its agencies issue instructions and rules and regulations from time to time, it does not seem to have much control over the privately managed educational institutions, which follow their own set of rules and regulations. This often leads students to make comparative studies between the two, resulting in discontent.
- Indifference of authority – Indifference of the authorities, both in the government and private sectors, to the problems and demands of the students may often lead to turmoil and disturbances on the campus. The private authority may or may not listen, while the government authority may assure taking up the matter with the government.
- Education policy – The education policy should be formulated with the help of expert committees, keeping in view the growing population, skill development along with education, the need for human resources and infrastructural development, and the suitability of students to meet the job market needs. This is not a Himalayan task, as both the Central and State governments are in the job.
- Open admission – Since admission is open to international students, educational institutions should see to it that they have the requisite infrastructure, an environment of safety, a culturally sensitive attitude towards international students, and a campus devoid of any discrimination.
After finding out the reasons broadly for the turmoil, let us try to find out the probable solutions:
The problems, as discussed above, are indicative of the solutions. Awareness on the part of the people and a successful family planning policy may solve the population problem. Steps by the government to create jobs, at the same time re-evaluating the education system, non-interference of political parties in student elections, change in the attitude of teachers and students, infrastructural and manpower development in educational institutions, tight control and supervision of the government over private institutions and monitoring them periodically, consideration of students’ problems and demands with a note of sympathy, a uniform system among private institutions if not with government institutions, and efforts towards creating a friendly and safe environment on the campus may go a long way in solving much of the problems leading to disturbances and turmoil on the campus. The government is taking the necessary steps in this direction and will continue to do so in times to come. The private institutions, as they are in an important and pivotal sector like education, should also rise to the occasion.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
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