Students at Sambalpur GM University launch protest

A wave of dissatisfaction swept through Sambalpur’s Gangadhar Meher University on Thursday as Integrated B.Ed students staged a sit-in outside the main gate, alleging academic neglect and unjustified fee collection. Their protest highlighted growing anxiety over the course’s lack of recognition under the Integrated Teachers Education Programme (ITEP).

Course Without Approval Sparks Anger

The protesting seventh and eighth-semester students claimed that their programme is yet to receive approval from the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Without ITEP accreditation, they fear their degrees will be deemed invalid for national-level teaching posts, leaving them ineligible for jobs in institutions such as Navodaya Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas.

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"If I have a certificate and all the required documents, and still I am not eligible and the institution will get dis-recognised, then what will be my future. I am now unable to understand how I will spend my 4 years at this university, but I will study for 4 years, will acquire my certificate and will pay the fees as it is a self-financing course," said Pragyan Paramita Sahoo, B.Ed student. 

Fee Hike Adds to Student Grievances

Students further alleged that the university had collected an additional Rs 5,000 from final-semester candidates without proper explanation. According to them, no transparency was maintained regarding the purpose or utilisation of the extra amount.

"The fee of GM University is less compared to other universities because for integrated B. Ed courses, where a Rs 50,000 amount was fixed in 2015-16. GM University was the only university in Odisha that started with Rs 25,000 fees, as our students can't pay the fees in Western Odisha. At the commencement of the full-fledged programme, there were 15 to 17 teachers, so we had to do it with the increase in cost, but even now, the amount is less than Rs 50,000. The fees will be spent on the basis of internships and seminars for students," said Uma Chandra Pati, Deputy Registrar, GM University. 

University Denies Irregularities

Breaking the silence, the Deputy Registrar clarified that the university had already submitted its ITEP application to the NCTE. He insisted that the fees collected were not irregular but intended for study tours and other academic activities. Approval, he added, depends on the fulfilment of several criteria evaluated by the national body.