The Kathmandu University has resumed its academic operation following the long interruption due to obstructions caused by the opposing camps of the students. That the nation’s only university widely recognized for its quality education in the competitive branches of knowledge is faced with political games and intrigues is itself a very disappointing degeneration. For quite a longer period, the Kathmandu University had managed to stay almost immune from the political infringement which was good for itself to run academic operation in a smooth and uninterrupted manner. But the recent developments indicate that the nation’s recognized shrine of learning where both national and international students compete for spaces and seats has been fully contracted by the viruses of political maneuvers and bickering. There has thus occurred sheer and unhealthy politicization of educational institution in the country where political party functionaries use it as an arena to fulfill their partisan interests. To further it, the party loyalists are preferred to the academicians and educationists specializing in the relevant disciplines and subjects. The situation in the public universities like the Tribhuvan University is more pathetic and poor. The bickering over what and whose party loyalists should be accorded preference to man the universities of the national importance has been allowed to come on the way of running, managing and administering the vital and appropriate educational institutions. The major educational institutions in the country are indeed destructively politicized, and the even the schools operating in the remote areas of the country face interference of the political groups. The academic performance and rationale of the educational institutions has been relegated to the background as some incidents show that the educational institutions are converted into political battlegrounds. The gang fights and violent brawls that have been occurring in the campuses and educational institutions during the contemporary times indicate that the political parties tend to use these forums to fulfill their own political ends and interests. There may be certain political incentives for the parties to use the educational institutions as an arena for conflict and contest, the priority should however be accorded to national needs for development. This can be achieved only if the educational institutions are allowed to remain and operate free from political games. The political parties should recognize to this and pursue ways and means to depoliticize the educational institutions.
source: risingnepal
source: risingnepal
