Jamshedpur Workers’ College Students Protest at DC Office Against New ‘Cluster System’

Jamshedpur: Hundreds of students from Jamshedpur Workers’ College took to the streets on Monday, marching to the District Collectorate to protest against a recent government memo implementing a “Cluster System” across the university. The students submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the Higher Education Minister through the Deputy Commissioner (DC), warning of a state-wide agitation if the order is not revoked.

The controversy stems from a memo issued on April 29, 2026, by the Jharkhand Government under the framework of NEP 2020. Students allege that the new system creates an educational crisis by forcing them to travel to different colleges for specific subjects.

Key Demands and Concerns Raised by Students:

1. Geographical Barriers: Students coming from rural areas to Workers’ College argued that being redirected to LBSM College (Karandih) due to the cluster system would force many to drop out due to the increased distance.
2. Logistical Absurdity: Students questioned the logic of the new rule, asking if Commerce students would now have to travel to LBSM College just to attend Hindi and English language papers required in the first and second semesters.
3. Faculty vs. Student Clustering: Protesters suggested that if there is a surplus of teachers and a shortage of students, the government should implement a Cluster System for Teachers instead, sending educators to different city colleges rather than displacing students.
4. Credential Credibility: Students expressed fear that having different college names on certificates for the same degree (due to mid-course college changes) could lead to their degrees being labelled “fake.” They cited existing unresolved issues with General Elective (GE) papers as a precedent.
5. Centralization of PG Courses: The memo reportedly centralizes Post-Graduate (PG) studies in Chaibasa. Students from Jamshedpur, Chandil, Baharagora, Ghatshila, and Patamda argued that rural students lack the financial means to relocate to Chaibasa for higher studies.

Warning of Intense Agitation

The memorandum highlights that thousands of students from economically weaker backgrounds may be forced to end their education if the state government and Kolhan University do not reconsider.

“If infrastructure exists, PG centres should be opened in all three districts of Kolhan, not just Chaibasa,” the students stated. They further warned that while other universities have not yet implemented such orders, Jharkhand would witness an intense “road to parliament” struggle if this “anti-student” policy is not withdrawn.