Nursing students in Madhya Pradesh face significant challenges, with around 70,000 from backward classes missing scholarships for four years, affecting their educational progress. Many, like Rishu Singh and Raju Jatav, struggle to pay fees, resorting to loans and risking dropout due to financial strain. Students protested in Bhopal, demanding timely exams and the release of scholarships. The government cites legal proceedings and an investigation into a nursing admission scam for delays, while opposition leaders criticize the lack of support. Officials promise scholarship distribution soon and aim to resume examinations.
Bhopal:
Nursing students in Madhya Pradesh face a challenging predicament, with issues seeming to escalate. Their courses have remained unfinished for years, and around 70,000 students from backward classes – Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes – have not received their scholarships for the past four years. This financial burden has compelled many to incur loans for their fees, with some students on the brink of dropping out.
Rishu Singh, hailing from Rewa, arrived in Bhopal in 2021 to pursue a BSc Nursing degree, anticipated to be completed by 2025. Yet, she has yet to take her second-year examination.
She has faced a four-year scholarship drought and is finding it hard to manage her annual expenses, including Rs 36,000 for rent and Rs 75,000 in college fees.
Due to financial difficulties, her family is encouraging her to return home.
“The absence of our scholarships is causing significant issues. We are seeking part-time employment, but managing work alongside studies is tough. My family is urging me to abandon my education and come back home. I am striving to continue my studies while funding my fees through loans,” expressed Ms. Singh.
Similarly, Raju Jatav from Bairasia, Bhopal, has also been using loans to pay his fees. He had hoped the scholarship would ease his financial burden, but it has not been released.
“Our focus on studies is hampered by constant worries about fees. If we don’t pay, we can’t fill out exam forms or attend classes. Without the scholarship soon, I may have to halt my studies,” he lamented.
The Madhya Pradesh government has provisions to offer scholarships for SC, ST, and OBC students in nursing and paramedical courses. However, over the last four years, more than 70,000 students have missed out on financial support, severely impacting their education.
SC/ST BSc Nursing students receive Rs 56,000 annually, OBC BSc Nursing students get Rs 30,000, while SC/ST GNM Nursing students are awarded Rs 57,000 and OBC GNM Nursing students receive Rs. 20,000 as scholarships.
In protest of the lack of support, students demonstrated in Bhopal, demanding the immediate disbursement of their scholarships. Ravi Parmar, NSUI State Vice President, stated, “Exams are neither conducted timely nor are results being announced. We insist that the government carry out the outstanding exams and distribute the scholarships right away so that students can continue their studies.”
The ongoing investigation into the nursing admission scandal has resulted in delays in exams and results. Although the High Court lifted the exam stay months ago, the examination timetable still remains uncertain.
BSc Nursing (2019-20 session): Final-year exams have yet to be conducted, despite the course’s four-year duration. BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing (2020-21, 2021-22 session): Second-year exams are still pending. BSc Nursing and GNM Nursing (2022-23 session): First-year exams have yet to occur.
The opposition has criticized the government for failing to support students, questioning the withholding of scholarships despite no legal restrictions. Umang Singhar, Leader of the Opposition, remarked, “If there were issues in the nursing sector, students should not face the consequences. The High Court never prohibited scholarships, so what justifies the government’s halt? Struggling students borrow money for their education, and their challenges deserve recognition.”
Conversely, the government claims that delays are due to ongoing legal matters and assures that the scholarships will be distributed shortly. Narendra Shivaji Patel, Minister of State for Health, stated, “The issue was before the High Court, and a CBI investigation was in progress, resulting in delays. The government is committed to facilitating timely exams and ensuring scholarship distribution soon, with the process expected to conclude within 10-15 days.”