Editor,
Only those in the system know the reality of the education scenario in Meghalaya. Shillong as the educational hub is only an aspiration or election manifesto. The earlier letters have correctly articulated about the manipulative and exploitative nature of so-called minority institutions. The plight of teachers working in private institutions has also been highlighted. Apart from the meager salary (or should I say wages) paid to the teachers in private institutions, they are harassed by heads of institutions. In a certain college in Shillong, while being recruited, a teacher was asked to sign an agreement letter (mind you not an Appointment letter) which says “…You may leave the institution at any time if you have grievances against the administration and salary. Then there are rules that teachers must follow such as (i) Teachers must not interact with the students outside the class and inside the campus. (ii) Teachers cannot sit during invigilation duty ( imagine our plight during the 3-6 hour long practicals, forget about a short break, to attend to nature’s call). (iii) Teachers are not permitted to sit and discuss (“gossip”) in the parlour. However, no staff room is provided; not even basic sanitation facilities. Besides these rules, the principal or the vice-principal enters the class room during classes to rebuke the teachers or students. On top of that teachers have to work beyond the school/college hours depending on the mood of the principal.
In another reputed private school the principal thinks that teachers are his personal helpers. He believes he has “the prerogative to call the teachers on holidays”. Worse, the teachers are not paid for December and January unless they take special classes for students appearing for the Board exams. However, the students are not exempted from paying fees for the said months either. Third, 25 percent of the pay is deducted as Provident Fund and security in case the teacher decides to leave. Fourth, teachers are not allowed any leave. One day’s leave means two days salary cut. The present month’s pay is given only after the first week of the next month.
If teachers are treated as labourers what values can students learn? Teachers are co-workers; without them the institution cannot function. Perhaps, some principals are taking a cue from MBOSE which is trying to reform education without taking into confidence the teachers who bring with them knowledge and experiences from the field.
I have picked up two private institutions but the head of semi-government institutions are no different when it comes to arbitrary behaviour. The administration and infrastructure of these institutions may be better than the private ones but a closer look will reveal that there’s much that is not well with these institutions as well. These institutions attract the bright and talented students (who easily could get top rank by themselves) because of their reputation. So we think they are the best and don’t bother to enquire what the system of education is like. For instance, some of our most reputed schools have more than sixty students in a class room while some colleges have over one hundred fifty in a class. In such a situation how can a teacher communicate value education when the whispers of the students in the room are louder than the voice of the teacher and half of the period is spent in maintaining discipline? Besides, a teacher specialized in one subject lands up taking a totally new subject. A Hindi teacher taking Bible classes is the best example I could give.
Most so-called reputed schools are in the habit of sacrificing normal class hours for the preparation of concerts and shows. Sometimes you wonder whether the institution is an academic institution or an academy of dance, songs and concerts or an event management centre. Some activities are mere media-gimmicks than real nurturing of talents. How can one teach a subject thoroughly when the class hours are truncated while the syllabus remains the same? In short, where is the chance of applying the B. Ed/ M. Ed techniques in the classroom? What is unbearable for the teacher is that she/he is expected to produce good results in the exams. No one cares how that is achieved. This, I feel is murdering the joy of growing and learning which ultimately leads to students’ suicide.
But, despite the ill treatment there are thousands of dedicated and hardworking teachers who give the best part of their life to the profession. It is therefore, pertinent that society pays them back by keeping a check on the academic institutions. It’s a matter of our children’s future after all!
Lastly, I wonder how institutions practice a laissez faire policy as though there are no rules and guidelines from the Board. Can MBOSE/NEHU or the Education Department have a re-look at their criteria for recognition of schools/colleges and ensure that educational institutions strictly adhere to the regulations? Let’s first get our basics right and then start implementing ideas like “best of three.”
Yours etc.,
Peter Lunthang
Shillong-3