DISCUSSION & LEAFLET on “PRIVATIZATION & COMMERCIALIZATION OF EDUCATION”

DISCUSSION on “PRIVATIZATION & COMMERCIALIZATION OF EDUCATION”

Date: 24^th March, Time: 5pm

Venue: lawn adjacent to canteen, UIET, PU

 

WHY IS GOVERNMENT INTRODUCING MORE AND MORE SELF-FINANCE COURSES? WHY OUR EDUCATION IS BEING PRIVATISED? IS EDUCATION A COMMODITY? 

 Friends, as we all know that fees of UIET (72000) is five times that of the UICET (15000) department. Difference in the fees is because UIET is partially self-financed. Self-financed courses are those courses which draw all their financial resources (including cost of infrastructure & salaries of faculty) from the student’s pocket.  Introduction of self-financed courses is one of the methods of forcing privatization into education. These courses are being encouraged all over India.

Friends, we have to see this privatization drive in a larger perspective. If we look at the socio-economic conditions of our country oppressed sections like dalits, tribals, minorities(religious, cultural & linguistic) and women etc. which constitute the majority of population are living under inhuman conditions, 84 crore people are surviving on less than 20 rupees a day and India has a dropout rate of 88% i.e. only 12% students avail higher education.  In such pathetic conditions, our government is encouraging self-finance courses and privatizing our education. So, why is government taking such harsh steps? And for whom?

Each strata of the society including middleclass and financial oppressed sections give service taxes (indirect tax) to the central government which make 80% of revenue from taxes. Friends, Most of us will agree that education is necessary for the liberation of masses, so it’s our basic right not a commodity. So, why is government reducing expenditure for education sector? As government recently slashed Rs.12000 crore from education sector. Which has directly affected us in the form of fee hikes.

On the other hand, the major section of students who are pursuing their study in UIET have education loans which they have to pay back. Despite of getting education under huge financial burden, we have no guarantee of placement in core companies and good salary, our labs lack sufficient equipment and the equipments which are available are not up to the standard quality mark.

              In spite of such situation, university is again hiking fees. Last year, university hiked fees by 20% but the hike was rolled back after students struggled against it, but our shameless authorities hiked our fees by 5% last year and promised not to hike fees for next 3 years. Then why authorities again backtracked?

Despite of all this why government is hiking fees and opening more self-financed courses? Why? For whom? Why is government shutting the doors for the poor and the oppressed? Is education meant for only a privileged ones? 

Now question arises is education a commodity or right of every citizen? 

PRELIMINARY SURVEY REPORT ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON THE PANJAB UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

PRELIMINARY SURVEY REPORT ON GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON THE PANJAB UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

Universities are considered to be centers of excellence and learning which have a huge responsibility to educate the society emancipating it from all sorts of superstition, discrimination and irrational practices.

Recently, SFS conducted a survey in Girls’ Hostels regarding Gender Discrimination and Sexual Violence in our Campus. The study was conducted amidst 500 girls. The data revealed shocking findings that expose the patriarchal and undemocratic environment in the campus and anti-woman attitude of the authorities of Panjab University.

GENDER DISCRIMINATION PREVAILS: When asked about the environment in the campus, 83.79% girls said Gender Discrimination prevails in the campus. A peculiar phenomenon was also observed as there was a section of girls (11.9%) who did recognize the prevalence of eve-teasing and other anti-woman practices, but didn’t recognise it as gender discrimination.

FORMS OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION: When asked in what forms does it manifest in the campus:

•  Eve-teasing: 71.53%
• Hostel timings: 49.66%
• Access to the Central Library: 31.89%
• Molestation (by professors or anyone): 18.91%
• Unnecessary hostel fines: 51.71%

Other forms were also pointed out by the girls like

• Rude behavior of wardens and authorities with girls
• Gates of girls’ hostels are closed at certain festivals like Valentine’s Day and Holi, when girls are not allowed to go out of even their hostels, leave alone campus.
• No female staff in hostel mess and canteens.

FOUR-WHEELERS:

As four-wheelers which roam around in the campus serve as means to perpetuate eve-teasing (especially outside the Girls’ Hostels premises), 69.53% of the girls said that they should be banned. While other 5.35% said that outsiders’ vehicles be banned.

ANTI-WOMAN SONGS

81.84% of the girls said that songs that demean the girls/are humiliating to them/commodify them/present them as sex objects shouldn’t be allowed to be played publically.

DRESS CODE

96.81% of the girls said that it shouldn’t be authorities or anybody’s business to tell girls what to wear. While other 0.46% said that there should be a dress code for both boys and girls.

ROLE OF AUTHORITIES

According to 74.06% of the girls, authorities don’t put any efforts to eradicate or even have a check on the prevailing gender discrimination. While other 3.54% said they make negligible or heartless efforts.

NEED FOR AN ACTIVE AND DEMOCRATIC BODY TO TACKLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT

91.44% girls said that an active body to tackle sexual harassment is needed with the participation of students. While 0.23 said it will be of no use. (However it should be noted that while conducting the survey no girl was aware of a body called PUCASH that authorities claimed to exist when a memorandum was submitted to VC.)

PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

87.74% of the girls said that girls should participate in the student politics and it shouldn’t be a reserve for boys only. Girls stressed that the participation of girls in decision making is minimal and so need to participate in student politics becomes even more important as issues related to women are being ignored and go unaddressed.

As this survey reveals, the university has failed to provide for an environment free from discrimination. Girls are subjected to various forms of gender violence on daily basis. The authorities are negligent of the gravity of the issue. They take no measures to address the issue and on the contrary show callous attitude whenever these issues are brought to the fore. The girl students are left to their own, suffering from the ire of the prejudices against them. The university may have received the honor of being the number one university in the country, but it has failed 70% of its students. 

The survey has brought to light the need to intensify the struggle against patriarchal mindsets. There is strong need to take measures to tackle the ongoing discrimination and sexual harassment. A detailed report of the survey will be published by SFS soon.

In the light of above, SFS recently submitted a memorandum for activation and democratization of PUCASH.  The authorities promised to work upon it and suggestions from students were asked for the same. This is just one step, much more is needed to tackle these issues. We appeal all to come forward and fight the prevailing patriarchy in the university and in society as whole.    

"ਵਿਕਾਸ, ਫਿਰਕਾਪ੍ਰਸਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਅੱਛੇ ਦਿਨ ਮੋਦੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ: ਕਪਟ ਦੇ 9 ਮਹੀਨੇ"

 ਮੋਦੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ "ਅੱਛੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ" ਦੇ 9 ਮਹੀਨੇ ਇਸ ਪੰਦਰਾਂ ਤਰੀਖ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ। ਲੋਕ-ਸਭਾ ਚੋਣ-ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਇਸਦਾ ਨਾਅਰਾ ਸੀ," With all and Development for all, will be my government’s motto, not an empty slogan"। ਇਸ ਨਾਅਰੇ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੋਰ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਹੀ ਵਆਦੇ {ਜਿਵੇਂ 100 ਦਿਨਾਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਕਾਲੇ ਧਨ ਦੀ ਵਾਪਸੀ, ਬੇਰੁਜ਼ਗਾਰੀ ਦੀ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ, ਗਰੀਬੀ, ਅਨਪੜਤਾ, ਭ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟਾਚਾਰ ਆਦਿ ਦਾ ਖਾਤਮਾ ਅਤੇ ਦੱਬੇ-ਕੁਚਲੇ ਵਰਗਾਂ (ਔਰਤਾਂ, ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰਾਂ, ਦਲਿਤਾਂ, ਕਿਸਾਨਾਂ ਅਦਿ) ਦੀਆਂ ਮੁਸੀਬਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਹਿਲ ਦੇ ਆਧਾਰ ਹੱਲ ਆਦਿ} ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ। ਆਖ਼ਰ ਯੂਪੀਏ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਤੋਂ ਤੰਗ ਆਏ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੋਦੀ ਵੱਲ ਮੁੜਿਆ ਅਤੇ 543 ਚੋਂ 336 ਸੀਟਾਂ ਜਿੱਤ ਕੇ ਐੱਨ.ਡੀ.ਏ ਸੱਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ ਗਈ ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ 282 ਸੀਟਾਂ ਇਕੱਲੀ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੀਆਂ। 81.4 ਕਰੋੜ ਵੋਟਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ  55.1 ਕਰੋੜ (66%) ਵੋਟਾਂ ਪਈਆਂ ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ 17.1 ਕਰੋੜ ਵੋਟਾਂ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲੀਆਂ। ਪਰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਆਪਣੇ ਵੱਲ ਮੋੜਨ ਲਈ ਚੋਣ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ 'ਤੇ 5000 ਕਰੋੜ ਰੁਪਏ ਖਰਚੇ ਗਏ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਰਚ-ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਚੈਨਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਇਮ-ਟਾਇਮ ਦਾ 33% ਹਿੱਸਾ ਮੋਦੀ-ਮੋਦੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਅੱਜ, ਵੱਡੇ-ਵੱਡੇ ਵਾਅਦੇ ਕਰ ਸੱਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਹੁਣ ਤੱਕ ਦੀ ਕਾਰਗੁਜ਼ਾਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਦਾਅਵਿਆਂ, ਵਆਦਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਸੱਚਾਈ ਦਾ ਕਾਫੀ ਹੱਦ ਤੱਕ ਅੰਦਾਜ਼ਾ ਲਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਮੋਦੀ ਦਾ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਮਾਡਲ: ਅਮੀਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਅਤੇ ਗਰੀਬਾਂ ਦੀ ਕੰਗਾਲੀ
 
ਉਂਝ ਤਾਂ ਵਿੱਤ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਅਰੁਣ ਜੇਟਲੀ ਦੇ ਕਹੇ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਨਵੀਂ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦਾ ਬਜਟ ਵੀ  UPA ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਆਰਥਿਕ ਨੀਤੀ ਦੀ ਨਿਰੰਤਰਤਾ ਹੀ ਰਿਹਾ। ਪਰ 1991 ਵਿਚ ਨਰਸਿਮਹਾ ਰਾਓ ਸਰਕਾਰ (ਵਿੱਤ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮਨਮੋਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ) ਵੱਲੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤੇ ਆਰਥਿਕ ਸੁਧਾਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਲਸਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਹੱਦ ਤੇਜ਼ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਭਾਰਤ ਅੰਦਰ ਲੋੜੀਂਦੀ ਪੂੰਜੀ ਦੀ ਕਮੀ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ 'ਤੇ 'ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰਵਾਦੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ' ਦਾ ਇਹ ਬਜਟ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਵਿਦੇਸ਼ੀ ਨਿਵੇਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਲੁਭਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਹਰ ਸੰਭਵ ਯਤਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਬੀਮਾ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿਚ 49% ਐਫ.ਡੀ.ਆਈ. ਦੀ ਆਗਿਆ ਦੇ ਦਿਤੀ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਖੇਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਖੋਲਦੇ ਹੋਏ FDI ਦੀ ਸੀਮਾ 26% ਤੋ 49% ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਗਈ। ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਰੇਲਵੇ (ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ 13 ਲੱਖ ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ) ਵਿਚ ਵੀ 100% ਐਫ.ਡੀ.ਆਈ. ਲਿਆਉਣ ਦੀ ਤਿਆਰੀ ਹੈ। ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਰੇਲਵੇ ਫ਼ਾਟਕਾਂ ਤੋਂ 25000 ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਢ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਰੇਲਵੇ ਕਿਰਾਇਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ 4.5% ਵਾਧਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਤੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਵੀ ਹਰ 6 ਮਹੀਨੇ ਮਗਰੋਂ ਵਾਧੇ ਦੀ ਤਜ਼ਵੀਜ਼ ਹੈ।

"DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNALISATION AND ACHHE DIN: The Deceptive 9 months of Modi Government"

DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNALISATION AND ACHHE DIN: The Deceptive 9 months of Modi Govt.

‘Achhe Din’ of Modi government has completed its nine months on 15^th Feb.

 “With all and Development for all, will be my government’s motto, not an empty slogan”, said Narendra Modi while campaigning for Lok Sabha elections. Promises were made declaring that problems like unemployment, illiteracy, corruption, poverty, inflation etc. will evaporate into thin air and within 100 days Black money stashed abroad will be back in the country and the problems of marginalized sections (Women, Dalits, Workers, and Peasantry etc.) be dealt on priority basis. The voters outpoured their anger on UPA, with the results propelling NDA (read Modi) to power, getting 336 out of 543 seats, 282 to BJP alone. 55.1 crore (66%) out of 81.4 crore voters casted their vote and 17.1 crore of them went to BJP. But in order to turn the voters towards itself, 5000 crore were spent and 33% of Prime Time of National TV channels was airing propaganda for Modi. Now when 2^nd budget of Modi govt. is about to come, we can look into the claims, promises and truth of this demagogue government. 

Modi’s Development model: Development of Rich and 

pauperization for poor

Although, as Finance Minister Arun Jaitely said, the new government’s last budget has been very much the continuity of the policies of UPA government. But process of economic reforms, initiated by Narsimha Rao government (FM Manmohan Singh), has been accelerated. In the time of Capital scarcity, ‘the most nationalist government’ made every effort to attract Foreign Investment (especially FDI). Apart from allowing 49% FDI in Insurance sector, the government has increased FDI limit from 26% to 49% in defense sector. Preparations have been made to allow 100% FDI in railways (that currently has 13 lakh employees). Along with retrenchment of 25000 employees from railway crossings, the Train fares have been increased 4.5% and a proposal is to hike it every 6 months.