Students council these days are active in most of the private colleges and universities. They work as the representatives of students for the benefit of the students with mutual understanding between the students and management.
However, there are various aspects of the students council, which is practised differently in different educational institutions.
For the students
Entering a new educational environment all alone and getting to know the necessary things of the college during college days could be difficult for a new student. But with the help of students council, student get help on what they should know about the educational institution during their tenure of study.
Bibek Shrestha, a student of Bachelors in Business Information System (BBIS) IVth semester at Little Angels College of Management (LACM) and the president of the students council shares, “A student faces many problems while using the facilities that the college provides like transportation, canteen and more. We tend to minimise it by letting the management know what the students’ needs are and what is going around. We act as the bridge between the students and management where looking after the problem and solving them is definitely good for both.”
The students council also organises various events and programmes which helps to explore the ability of students and get them a platform to show what they have got. Shrestha adds, “Besides looking after the students’ problems we also provide a platform for students by organising various events like sports, quiz competition and more with mutual understanding with the management.”
Dipika Joshi, a student of BBA IV semester at LACM informs, “Students council gives a platform to students by organising various extracurricular activities which helps to motivate students in a positive way.”
Dr Tankanath Sharma, Dean of Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED) explains, “Students council has representation from every class and through mutual understanding various positive activities are being organised by students council.”
Likewise, Indra Raj Bhattrai, a student of MPhil in Development Studies at KUSOED and the president of students council shares, “We organise various workshops and programmes which help in academics as well as gives exposure and information to the students.”
The threatening trend
There is always two sides to every story and the students council also tends to have both negative and positive sides. About this Durga Prasad Chapagain, BBA programme Head at College of Information Technology and Engineering (CITE) expresses, “There are various faculties in our college and to enhance the quality of the college there is the need of students council where it becomes the common ground of students from different faculties within the college and represent the entire student body. However, nowadays, more than enhancing the quality of the college, it has turned into a force of giving unnecessary pressure and moving with vested interests.”
Agreeing with Chapagain, Ashwina Thapa a student of BBA VIth semester at CITE says, “In students council, there are both positive and negative things. These days negative trends like strikes, lock-outs and bargaining with the management for one’s free eduction is happening, which is unfair.”
She adds, “Yes, students council is necessary but it should work with a mutual understanding and for the overall development of students and the institution.”
Meanwhile, Nirmal Pandey, a student of BBA VIIIth semester at CITE and vice-secretary of students council argues, “I got admitted in the college as the management advocated facilities and environment of the college. But after joining college, nothing was fulfilled. So I joined students council to support students and work for the students’ betterment.”
Enhancing abilities
As the students council also works in an organisational format, the students involved in it tend to get managerial skills. Moreover, those students who participate in the programmes organised by students council also benefit by knowing themselves better, building confidence and a sense of responsibility. About this Jitendra Singh Mahara, a student of BE VIIIth semester and president of students council at CITE shares, “We get knowledge about the system and how it works. Moreover while working it tends to teach us managerial skills which is definitely a plus point for future endeavours.”
Likewise, Joshi opines, “While taking part in various events, competitions and programmes, we get experience and the certificate we get can increase our worth while going out for career development after studies.”
(Source: The Himalayantimes)
