From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: The Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in West Jaintia Hill is in a poor condition and fails to cater to the needs of students undergoing training in various trades including Electrical, Mechanical, and Stenography besides others.
Minister in charge Labour Department and Urban Affair, Ampareen Lyngdoh paid a visit to the Institute on Friday and witnessed several anomalies such as poor maintenance of infrastructures, lacks of machineries and equipments for practical classes.
The Minister accompanied by the Joint Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya in charge Labour Department, Director Labour Department, Ripnar Lyngdoh assessed the condition of the Training Institution and ordered for immediate improvement.
Sources also informed that this is the first time that either the Minister or the Director paid a visit to the Institute since the time it was established in 1997.
In an interaction with the Minister, Trainees complained that improper practical classes conducted remains one of the major problem that they are facing.
Practical for Mechanical in Automobile were being equipped with out-dated machineries beside which, non-availability of mechanical tools added to the woes of students. Outdated vehicle engines were seen lying in the practical room, which students termed as Engine used during the Second World War.
The Typewriter used for training trainees in the trade of Typing and Stenography were outdated and the Minister suggested that instead of Typewriters, Computer should be used to teach the trainees who are learning typing.
“We are not sure whether we can do any repair work of any vehicle after we complete the course in July next”, said an automobile mechanic trainee while speaking to this scribe.
Besides the lack of facilities, shortage of Instructors is another problem faced by the ITI students. There are only four Instructors and four other allied Instructors.
Lyngdoh assured that immediate steps will be taken up to meet the basic requirement of the ITI for the benefits of all the Trainees.