Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: Students affiliated with AJSU and ABVP held a fierce protest at Ranchi University on Sunday against the cluster system introduced under the New Education Policy, tearing up copies of the notification and calling the system anti-student.
What Is the Cluster System
Under the cluster system, different subjects and streams have been distributed across different colleges. This means a single student will have to travel to multiple colleges to attend classes for their chosen subjects. For example, students will need to go to Doranda College for English, SS Memorial College for Economics, while Science and Arts classes will be held at separate institutions.
Heaviest Burden on Poor and Rural Students
Protesting students argued that the new system will hit poor and students from remote areas the hardest. Travelling to multiple colleges daily will increase transportation costs and waste significant time. Students pointed out that families already struggling financially will find it impossible to send their children to several different colleges every day.
Female Students Raise Safety Concerns
Female students also voiced serious safety concerns, stating that travelling between distant colleges exposes them to harassment and anti-social elements on the way, putting their safety at risk.
System Implemented Without Infrastructure
Student organisations alleged that Jharkhand lacks adequate transport facilities and college infrastructure to support such a system. They demanded that the government first address teacher and staff shortages in colleges, release pending scholarships, and regularise delayed academic sessions before implementing any new policy.
Defeats the Purpose of NEP
Student leaders argued that the core objective of the National Education Policy is to promote multidisciplinary education, allowing students to choose subjects across streams. However, by confining each college to a single stream, the cluster system directly defeats that very purpose.
Agitation to Continue Until Rollback
Protesting students warned that their agitation will continue until the cluster system is completely withdrawn. Student organisations announced a phased movement from streets to the state assembly, saying students are now more visible on roads than in classrooms.
