Students hold village-level meetings, demand opening of educational institutions

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 21

Miffed over the closure of educational institutions in view of Covid-19, students of universities and associated colleges in the state are now visiting villages to garner support in against the government’s decision.

Students claim their education is suffering because of the closure of educational institutions.

Students of various political parties and those associated with the Punjab Students’ Union (PSU) said they were holding discussions and meeting students in villages of Patiala Moga, Bathinda and other places.

Gursewak Singh, a PhD scholar at Punjabi University and associated with PSU, said: “We are visiting Kalwanu, Ghagga, Taind, Shutrana, Haryau Khurd villages of Patiala and villages of Moga and Bathinda. All other offices and activities are open but educational institutes have been closed. Universities and colleges have collected tuition fee but no classes are being held.”

Another student of Punjabi University said: “Teachers are taking online classes but as per their convenience. Some of them hold classes as late as 8 pm while others do not bother to hold lectures at all.”

He alleged that the government was using the threat of spread of Covid-19 as a political weapon. “We are generating support against the decision of lockdown and closure of educational institutions,” he added.

Sandeep Kaur of the Punjab Radical Student Union said: “Various student political parties active in the state had decided to meet administrative officials over the matter last month. We have held a number of meetings with villagers and students in various villages.”