Editor,
Apropos the letters “College Without a Head” (ST, Aug 3, 2012) and ” Of St. Mary’s College” ( ST, Aug 4, 2012), we the Vice Principals of St. Mary’s College would like to state that the allegation that the Principal was never available in the College office for the last 3 years is not only ridiculous but also baseless and malicious. The College has received a number of grants from UGC, DST, DBT etc., in the last 3 years because of the initiative taken by the Principal. How can anyone justify that the Principal is not doing anything? We would like to know from the parent what kind of trouble he/she had to face to obtain a “simple signature” from the Principal. In reality, it is the duty of our office staff to verify the documents to be signed by the Principal and then it is given to her for signature. So there is no need to meet the Principal just to get her “simple signature”.
The allegation that we the Vice Principals are not doing anything is also baseless. If it is true, then the College should have remained closed for 3 months when the Principal was on official leave from 1st April to 30th June, 2011. How did the College run then? And that too at two Campuses ( Main and Oak Ville) ? How could the NEHU Examinations go on smoothly? How did the admissions take place without any problem? Please note that our College has been re- accredited with A Grade by NAAC in 2011. So dear brave parent, next time if you want to say anything about our College, please come forward, meet us in the College and verify the facts before making any allegations against us.
Yours etc.,
Magdalene Badwar
Jaya G Choudhury
Vice Principals
St. Mary’s College, Shillong
Defending the indefensible!
Editor,
I would like to respond to the teachers who have so enlightened me on the role and duties of a principal, teachers and board of management in a College. I am very aware that there are certain procedures by which one can meet a principal in a college. Writing applications and fixing appointments might work in other institutions but as I and other parents have found out, it does not work in this particular college. Teachers can vehemently deny and protect the good name of the principal, but the sad fact remains that the principal was not in college for a very long time. The teachers, students, parents and non-teaching staff are not all blind to the fact even if they choose to be mute about the matter. The college was functioning, if functioning only meant taking of classes, but what about other official work, I am sure many are suffering because of it, but no one will complain because the management and some teachers are still authoritative and dictatorial, and so, to speak out is to be immediately silenced. I and the other parent have written to bring to light anomalies that can be corrected, but sadly the canker has seeped so deep that no one is willing to acknowledge the bitter sad truth! I am not denying that St Mary’s is an “A” grade institution catering to the upliftment of women and the underprivileged, but these medals of honour that the college wears so proudly round it’s neck are nothing if the teachers who are supposed to teach right from wrong don’t know what is right from what is wrong themselves. If speaking out against injustice is “maligning” and if genuine concern is misconstrued as “vested interest”, I will rest my case and let the “spin doctors” take over.
Yours etc.,
S Dasgupta,
Via email
St Edmund’s still the best
Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Diminishing quality”, that appeared in you esteemed daily, dated 1 August 2012, I, an ex-pupil of St. Edmund’s School, disagree with the writer of the above mentioned letter, that St. Edmund’s has gone from “Bad to Worse”. However, I do agree that a few students do smoke in their school uniforms outside the school premises. However, this habit is not exclusive to Edmundians. Students from other respected institutions also commit such acts of irresponsibility. As fae as my knowledge goes the Administration of St. Edmund’s School does take strict action against students violating the School’s norms in or outside (if caught) within the school campus. Thus, such an accusation is not applicable to Edmundians only.
Regarding the complaint against the Computer teacher, I can safely say that she is very hard working and a remarkable teacher as many of my classmates and seniors who have been taught by her, have got letter marks in Computer Applications. She gives her best in every session and makes sure that her students understand what has been taught. It is often encouraged by the teachers themselves that when a student does not understand what has been taught in class, he can personally meet the teacher in his free time to clear his doubts and the teachers are always ready to help such students, in spite of their busy and heavy schedule. This is why Edmundians always hit the right notes in their ICSE Examinations (Meghalaya) always holding top positions! I therefore support and congratulate Bansharailang Pyngrope of Class IX, St. Edmund’s School, for his well-versed letter, published in your paper (ST August 2, 2012) St. Edmund’s was, is and will always be the best!
Yours etc.,
Vancouver Shullai
Class of 2012
St Edmund’s School.
MPSC a failing institution!
Editor,
In another spin of events, the MPSC has yet again showcased its blatant inefficiency, and shameful code of conduct! Needless to say, it has clearly demonstrated yet again what we have been familiar with in the past. The examination conducted by the MPSC for the posts of Research Assistants in the office of the PID on the 28th of July was a shameful reminder of this inefficiency! This lack of proper management and coordination by the office of the MPSC and its negligence has resulted in the cancellation of the examination of that day and its postponement to a later date. The MPSC’s explanation that the mess was caused by a shortage of question papers at a certain venue and the delay in communication of the same to other venues does not excuse the inefficiency. It was dismaying for the candidates at other venues who have written the examination for almost two hours at a stretch (almost the final segment) without the slightest idea of what is to come. A ridiculous waste !
Quite frankly the MPSC requires a major overhaul if it is to restore the faith of candidates in its functioning. But will this ever happen in Meghalaya?
Yours etc.,
Roselyne War ( A concerned candidate)
Shillong 1