Paperman Media ( Bhubaneswar )- The Odisha Student Congress on Friday launched a sharp attack on the State Government over various issues concerning the education sector and announced a two-day, round-the-clock protest at Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar, demanding accountability from the Ministers of School and Mass Education and Higher Education.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan, newly appointed Odisha Student Congress president Bibhuti Bhushan Mahapatra alleged that students across the State are facing several problems in the education sector, while the Government has remained indifferent to their concerns. He particularly alleged that the primary education system is being weakened and said the Student Congress would continue its agitation against such issues.
The organisation has demanded the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, holding him responsible for alleged errors in school textbooks. Mahapatra announced that a two-day overnight protest would be staged at Gandhi Marg over the issue.
“Until the Minister resigns, the Student Congress will continue its agitation over the textbook errors,” Mahapatra said.
The Student Congress also targeted the Higher Education Department over the alleged non-conduct of students’ union elections in universities and colleges for the past two years. It demanded the resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, alleging failure to restore the students’ democratic right to elect their representatives.
“Students’ union elections are a democratic right of students. Nobody can take away this right,” Mahapatra said, urging the Government to immediately conduct elections or the Higher Education Minister should resign.
The Student Congress has also demanded immediate resolution of students’ education-related problems. Mahapatra warned that if its key demands are not fulfilled, the organisation would intensify and expand its agitation across the State.
