SIKKIM UNIVERSITY SHORTCHANGES STUDENTS SELECTED UNDER ‘EARN AS YOU LEARN’ SCHEME

Letter:
Sikkim University, which is expected to work for the development and welfare of students, fails to provide basic facilities to its students. Every student from poor economic condition is provided with scholarship by both the Central and State governments in most of the government schools, colleges and universities. In contrast, Sikkim University is still not paying its students the due amounts which they deserve according to its scholarship schemes.
Under Section 30(1)(f) of the Sikkim University, 2006, Executive Council approved the Ordinance to provide financial assistance to students of Sikkim University from financially weak backgrounds and those who exhibit a good academic record. However, students who were selected for the scholarship under the scheme “earn as you learn” during 2010-11 academic session have only been paid Rs 6000. According to the university’s prospectus, students selected for this scheme are supposed to be paid Rs 12000 per semester, against the job provided by the university itself. Reality is university is neither providing jobs nor scholarship.
Suman Das Rai, 4th semester (one of the selected candidate for scholarship)
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sikkim University