Several B.Sc nursing students on Monday staged a dharna on Utkal University campus in Bhubaneswar alleging lack of basic facilities at the second campus of the varsity at Chandikhol in Jajpur district.
The agitating students staged a protest in front of the office of the Vice-Chancellor and locked up the main gate of the varsity during the stir.
As per reports, B.Sc nursing course has commenced since two years at the second campus in Chandikhol which is being managed by Shrusrutam Charitable Trust. While the students are paying Rs 75, 000 as course fee, they are allegedly not being provided the basic facilities at the institute.
Moreover, regular classes are not being conducted due to staff crunch. As alleged by the students, only three teaching faculties have been appointed for the department. Apart from that, they are also facing issues in library, hostel and food.
The agitating students have demanded nursing management by varsity authorities and not by any private firm.
"As many as 80 students are currently enrolled for the course in first and second year. Even, new students have taken admission. For 3 batches, there are only 3 teachers, of which only one is MSc faculty," said a nursing student, Subhashree Behera.
Further, the student added, "We demand proper conduct of clinical training, appointment of more number of faculties, and proper management of the nursing school."
Meanwhile, another nursing student, Swikruti Ranjan Biswal said, "Students are being admitted to the B.Sc nursing course by showing Utkal University's advertisement since two years. We are paying Rs 75, 000 as course fee like private institutions. As per government protocol, the course fee should be Rs 18, 500. We are ready to pay the course fee, but we should be provided basic amenities. While there are currently three batches, there are only three faculties. How will they take classes?"