By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Students of Jowai and Tura Polytechnics supported by the Jaintia Students’ Union and FKJGP have decided to continue with their agitation programmes from today in protest against the state government’s failure to fully take control of both the institutions.
The failure of the government in meeting the students’ demands to fully take charge of the two institutions has irked the students’ associations who have decided to pressurize the government until their demand is met.
It may be mentioned that students of Jowai and Tura Polytechnics have organized several agitational programmes in this regard since last month.
“We will continue with our protest against the adamant attitude of the government who only promised to take control of both the institutes but it was never done in reality”, a frustrated student said.
Tura and Jowai Polytechnics were established in the year 2001 and 2002 respectively by the Government of Meghalaya with financial assistance from the World Bank under the Third Technician Education III Project.
However, since then, no renovation work has been undertaken and the institutions have witnessed lack of infrastructure, services, faculties, water besides others. The institutions also face a lot of problems in terms of Administrative (Man power) & Technical level.
The students have also demanded a full fledged principal and faculties including staff of the institutions while citing that these people were recruited on contractual basis.
The annoyed students’ associations has also informed that their institutions not only face problem in this aspect but also have a lot of problem availing water supply in laboratory which becomes difficult for them to carry on with their practical works.
Meanwhile, reacting to the adamant attitude of the government, the FKJGP central body has expressed disappointment over the insensitivity of the government in meeting these demands.
“The announcement made by the government to celebrate this year as the year of the youth is perhaps just by way of mouth and not by action”, Assistant Education Secretary of FKJGP central body Kitboklang Nongphlang said.
The union has also extended their support to the students’ body of both the institutions and informed that they will send their members from Jowai and Garo to join in the protest on Monday.
“We will continue to pressurize the state government because at the end of the day, our career will be affected not the government’s”, an irritated student voiced out.