Over 100 aspirants join JNU's free coaching classes

At least 120 aspirants for BA courses and 60 aspirants for MA courses have enrolled in free coaching classes for Jawaharlal Nehru University entrance exams, which will be held in the third week of May.

The classes have been organised by JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU). “Classes started on April 1. At least 14 JNU students, including members from JNUSU and other volunteers, have been teaching the aspirants every day. The classes will be on till May 15,” said Sarfaraz Ahmed, JNUSU member.

The practice of giving free coaching classes for entrance exams has been going on for a long time in JNU.

Tradition continued

Elected student representatives used to hold classes every year. But even with no student union for four years, they continued the ‘tradition’.

“We have some study material, such as previous year’s question papers, which are given to students for free.

“For MA aspirants, there are two volunteers each from International Relations, Sociology and History, and three from Political Science,” said Ahmed.

“Most of MA aspirants this year are seeking admissions in these courses,” added Ahmed.
He said if aspirants for other courses come, more volunteers will be roped in from those departments.

JNUSU is also organising a rally on the campus on Labour Day, which falls on May 1. All non-teaching staff in the campus will participate.

“A band called Lal Band from Pakistan will perform on  the eve of May Day,” said another JNUSU member.

Ahmed said a committee comprising JNUSU members, JNU teachers union members and university officials has been set up to bring out a report by June on the demands of the students’ union.

The demands include lowering viva voce weightage in the entrance test for MPhil and PhD aspirants.

“We sat for an indefinite hunger strike last month. We noticed that there was discrimination in viva voce marks,” said a JNUSU member.