Repeal FYUP, provide more scholarships: SFI Delhi submits manifesto to education ministry

NEW DELHI: Students’ Federation of India (SFI) Delhi has submitted the manifesto to the ministry of education highlighting the demands of the student community in the lead-up to the upcoming Lok Sabha general elections 2024. The ‘student manifesto’ was prepared after consulting with students from various universities in Delhi.

Students from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Delhi University (DU), OP Jindal University, and Ambedkar University Delhi among other universities in the national capital came together in solidarity to submit the manifesto.

The SFI said that they presented the manifesto to major political parties including Congress, CPIM, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before submitting it to the ministry. “This multi-pronged approach underscores the students' desire to ensure their concerns are addressed by all political parties vying for their support,” it said.

The demands include repealing of ‘anti-student’ policies such as four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), more scholarships for socially and economically backward sections, hostel facility for outstation students, concessional metro pass and other facilities to make transportation convenient. Further, they also demanded for a college in every Vidhan Sabha constituency of Delhi etc.

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A delegation of SFI Delhi representatives met with additional secretary of ministry of education Sunil Kumar Barnwal and formally presented the document.

"The demands which are part of the manifesto are long standing demands of the student community in Delhi and political parties, should seriously introspect what they have done to resonate with their concerns. Students make up a significant part of the voters of the country and their demands should be heard by the political parties," said Mayank, state secretary of SFI Delhi state committee.

"Students' Manifesto has brought together the concerns of students who are suffering under the current Modi regime. Their voices are not being heard and the attack upon public education is continuing. This is an important step in the direction of registering the dissent to such attacks infront of political parties. We hope they will take the students concerns more seriously," Nancy, vice president of SFI Delhi state committee said.