Kirtipur, December 9:

Protesting against the provision of appointing teachers in the Tribhuvan University (TU) on contract, agitating students today tore their textbooks and hurled them at the TU vice-chancellor’s office. The students said they did this as part of a symbolic protest against the contract system, “which allows only those who are close to political leaders or TU officials to enter the TU service.”

Sanchita Dhakal, a student of the Physics faculty, also tore her practical notebook.

Terming the contract system ‘corrupt’, Dhakal demanded that the “provision of appointing university teachers on contract be scrapped and teachers be selected through open competition.”

Santosh Thapa, student of the Economics faculty, said the protest is against Tike Pratha (favouritism). “It is no use getting a degree if only those close to TU officials or political leaders get to enter the TU service.”

TU VC Prof Dr Madhav Prasad Sharma told this daily yesterday, “We cannot go beyond the TU regulations and take a decision on the matter.” He said that TU senate meeting should be called to make a decision on the issue. But the TU senate remains incomplete, pending the nomination of some members.