Mon May 12 10:43:51 UTC 2025: **Kerala Student Group Demands Withdrawal of Private University Act**
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, May 12, 2025 – The All India Students Federation (AISF), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), is demanding the Kerala government repeal the recently passed Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2025. The AISF argues that allowing private universities contradicts the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) stated policies and will negatively impact the state’s education system.
A. Adhin, the newly elected State secretary of AISF, stated at a press conference that while the Act’s proponents claim it will curb student migration abroad, studies indicate other factors, such as quality of life, are more significant. He also expressed doubt about the government’s ability to effectively control tuition fees in private universities, citing experiences in other states.
Beyond the private university issue, the AISF is also calling for a commission to investigate fee hikes in both central and state universities, arguing that the increases are making higher education unaffordable for many. The commission, they suggest, should include representatives from student organizations.
Further, the AISF’s state conference resolved to disband the National Testing Agency (NTA), citing frequent lapses in major examinations. They advocate for returning examination responsibilities to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and individual universities, criticizing the NTA’s lack of transparency. Finally, the AISF called for a united front against terrorism in response to recent attacks targeting tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The conference also elected new state leadership.
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