Tu playing with students' future
The news that appeared in one of the national vernacular dailies has raised the eyebrows of many people across the country. According to the report, the oldest educational institution Tribhuwan University of the country displayed the height of carelessness while preparing the questions for the Masters's Degree question of economics and political science. It is reported that the question paper for MA in Economics (third semester, public economics) and Political Science (first semester, International Politics) on June 6 were repeated from the previous examination. The 13 questions of 60 marks were found to be ditto to the previous two examination papers.
The tragedy has exposed the TU to the core. It has also highlighted how the professors and concerned authorities are playing with the careers of the students. But the government is turning blind eye to the problem giving the impression that it is not bothered about the career of the student.
This is not the first time that the oldest and most prestigious educational institution has come under public wrath. There are several instances in the past where the citizens have lashed out at Tribhuwan University and constituent colleges for mismanagement and alleged genderbased violence. The people fired a salvo at TU saying it was not safe for women pursuing higher education as they face sexual exploitation and other forms of harassment.
Until a few years ago, TU had remained an institution with substance. It was actively involved in the process of nation-building producing scholars of diverse backgrounds. Its representation on the international platform has displayed that our educational institutions were no less than any other international university. Most importantly, TU had always invoked a sense of pride among us. To the utter dismay, the same prestigious institution has now become tainted over the years
Just to recall, a girl pursuing her master’s degree in Economics faced sexual exploitation by her professors. If media reports are any guide, the professor used to send the girl student a lewd message that brings shame to our society. What was even worse was that he sought sexual favors in exchange for good marks in her thesis. Tired of this harassment, the girl filed a case against the professor accusing him of sexual harassment.
While the girl mustered some courage and reached out to the concerned department of the University and lodged harassment against her teacher, there are still many girls across the country who do not report the sexual exploitation, harassment, gender based violence fearing social stigma.
Across the globe, university teachers are held high in society and viewed as an agent of change. They play a significant role in shaping the future of their student. Likewise, they provide strategic guidance and help them to chase their dreams through hard work, dedication and commitment. Their selfless contributions in the field of academic research have been a boon for their nation. Conversely in Nepal, the university teachers are not engaged in shaping the future of their students. Likewise, they do not have idea adequate knowledge about what is research and its contribution to the overall development of the country. Instead, they exploit their girl students sexually seeking sexual favor in exchange for good marks in the thesis. Their immoral and unethical behavior has only eclipsed our historical legacy in which teachers were considered second to god.
Exception apart, the incompetent teachers at the university have also been an issue of discussion among people across the country. It has been a common practice in Nepal to appoint university teachers based on political affiliation. They are appointed not based on their academic credentials but on their access to political heavyweights. In short, what generally matters is their connection with the politician in power. One can easily imagine and understand what will be the performance of such select crooks.
Right now, the nation is grappling with innumerable challenges. Rampant corruption, poor governance, poverty, a culture of impunity, and unemployment are among a few striking problems on display. Likewise, inequality, abuse of authority and political wrangling over power-sharing are other challenges which are staring at us. Understandably, we will not be able to embark on the path of the nation if these challenges thrive and continue. It is also understandable only people with adequate knowledge and expertise can bail the country out of the crisis. TU has a greater role than ever before in this regard. It has to correct all its anomalies -be it appointment process or management, sexual harassment against girl students. If it can bring visible changes, the TU will become an educational hub with no exploitation and mismanagement.