SHILLONG: The proposed implementation of the centrally sponsored ‘community college’ program in Meghalaya received a major boost after the Centre’s approval following a meeting between Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma and Union secretary for Higher Education from the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Ashok Thakur, on Saturday evening.
With community colleges currently experiencing a challenging phase in its existence, this approval comes as a welcome sign for the numerous unemployed youth in the State.
Community colleges are to be one of the biggest moves in the education sector owing to the ability of community and technical colleges to ensure that far greater numbers of their students succeed in college, attain high-quality certificates and degrees, and transfer to baccalaureate institutions.
Dr Sangma informed that New Delhi will support the State subsequent to the identification of existing colleges where this concept will be introduced.
He said, “Government of India will extend support for courses and faculty while the State government will take care of everything else including infrastructure development.”
The ‘community college’ concept revolves around first identifying potential employment opportunities in a particular area and then introduction of tailor made courses for the youths so that their employability prospects increase manifold.
“Our youths need to have adequate access to available job spaces around them as well as appropriate capacity building and education and this concept will go a long way in enhancing this intent of the government,” Dr. Sangma said adding, “The government is now contemplating on mapping the potential areas of employment in the State so that accordingly courses will be structured and introduced in the community colleges.”
The CM informed that the government will now identify existing infrastructure as in colleges situated in the various districts so that the program can be initiated as soon as possible. Government of India will provide support in development of course contents and syllabi as well as faculty while on its part, the state government will ensure proper infrastructure development in the identified institutions.
