KOCHI: The students of the School of Medical Education (SME), under Mahatma Gandhi University, on Thursday gheraoed the Principal and university officials demanding better facilities.

Sister Lucit, Principal, SME; and Sindhu Devi, Regional Centre Director, SME, were blocked by the agitating students, who agreed to let them leave the premises only after the local police intervened.

The students would go on indefinite strike from Friday to press their demands. If no steps were taken to immediately change the dilapidated premises, the strike would be extended to other centres, the students said.

The school is conducting courses in B.Sc. Nursing and Medical Laboratory Training.

According to a statement issued by the students, the SME has not been able to provide basic facilities to its students for the last ten years of its existence. Each year, students are admitted to nursing and laboratory courses with a semester fee of Rs.28,000 and Rs.18,000 respectively. But, the school not just lacks basic facilities like water and reagents for a practical class, there are also not enough teachers or proper classrooms to study in a peaceful manner. The number of staff for the nursing course is five, including a department head, whereas the number should be 22.

Situated in the middle of the city's most busy market, where pipes, iron rods and other such items are sold, the noise pollution in the area is a matter of concern. The building leaks at various places.

If the university authorities do not take any remedial measures, the school stands to lose its recognition, said the students. They have been making an attempt to get the attention of the authorities on the issues for quite some time, but in vain.

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