KATHMANDU, April 20: A meeting chaired by Prime Minister and Chancellor of universities, Balendra Shah, has decided to abolish the existing elected Free Student Union (FSU) in universities and replace it with alternative mechanisms such as a “Student Council” or “Voice of Students.”
The decision was taken during a meeting on Monday attended by Vice Chancellors of all universities and health science academies. The meeting endorsed a five-point reform agenda aimed at improving governance in the education sector.
As per the meeting, universities will amend their statutes and regulations to dismantle structures of politically affiliated student organisations within 60 days and establish new student representation mechanisms within 90 days.
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The meeting also directed authorities to immediately remove flags, banners and wall writings of political student organisations from university premises. It stressed the need to implement the 86-point governance reform agenda approved by the Cabinet.
In addition, the government has decided to stop providing rooms, buildings or land within university premises to student organisations affiliated with political parties.
Universities have been instructed to review their existing laws and regulations and send proposals to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology within three months to repeal any provisions related to partisan student organisations.
The decision further requires university executive councils or assemblies to amend relevant regulations within 60 days to eliminate provisions recognising such organisations.
Prime Minister Shah underscored the need to replace FSU with new mechanisms that genuinely represent students’ interests. He also directed vice-chancellors to recommend necessary amendments to university laws, clearly identifying relevant clauses and sub-clauses, if required to implement the new system.
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