Editor,
The Tura Polytechnic was established in 2003 and started its regular classes and inchoate courses temporarily at the Government Boy’s Higher Secondary School, Chandmary with few teaching faculties for the respective departments. Later the Institute shifted to its permanent campus at Cherangre, Tura near Tura Public School. It offers three year diploma courses in Food Processing & Preservation, Medical Electronics and Computer Application under the aegis of the World Bank Assisted Tech. Ed. III Project. This is the only polytechnic in the entire Garo Hills. It is the only technical/engineering institute that offers full 3-year diploma courses to students of Garo Hills in particular and Meghalaya in general. Since its inception, the Tura Polytechnic has succeeded in propagating technical education and imparting engineering knowledge to young pupils to prepare them for a future career.
Knowing the increase in demand of technical, adept manpower in Government or private sector, many young people have applied for admission in particular courses, offered in the Tura Polytechnic. Some of the aspirants were admitted according to their merit and reservation (after sitting for the verbal interview) but some were not fortunate enough. Ironically students with no interest or desire to pursue the courses have got admission whereas those who sincerely wish to pursue their technical education are rejected. Sadly those students who are admitted tend to drop out midway. They are seen only at the time of disbursement of their stipend. The practice has continued with several batches. This shows how badly managed the Tura Polytechnic is. The Institute does not have a full pledged principal till date. The present principal is also the Head of Department (HoD) of Computer Science, Shillong Polytechnic. As a result the person is always “Out of Station” and unable to handle the issues of Tura Polytechnic. Naturally this has hampered the smooth functioning of the Institution. Many students have passed out and are looking for jobs without success. Many students of Tura Polytechnic are now doing small businesses such as selling second hand clothes at the weekly market, driving auto rickshaws etc.,
So what is the point of setting-up new Polytechnics in Williamnagar and Baghmara, if the Government of Meghalaya cannot assure employment to those who pass out year after year? Already more than 500 students have passed out of the Polytechnic Institute in Garo Hills. According to the Institute’s prospectus, the main principle is to “produce technicians at supervisory level to meet the demands of technical manpower in various fields of developments for the purpose of recruitment to all subordinate posts and services under the State Government, Central Government, Central Government Undertaking, State Government Undertaking and various Public Sector and Private Sector, and Companies of the country”.
Being a Govt. affiliated polytechnic (Meghalaya State Council of Technical Education) and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the job absorption rate in the particular Govt. department and the Non-Govt. sector is negligible when compared with the Shillong Polytechnic. Let’s hope that in the coming months the Government of Meghalaya can reform the educational curriculum of the Polytechnics according to the market demands.
Yours etc.,
Shoshon A.gitok Sangma
MOU on pork rearing
Editor,
It is ironic that Dr Mukul Sangma whom detractors have accused of having Muslim DNA has now inked an MOU with a Canadian firm for rearing pigs that would eventually be consumed within the State given the fact that there is a deficit of about 1400 tonnes in production of pork in Meghalaya. Conversely we have not come hear of any past Chief Ministers of this State or other North Eastern States doing it. Will the Mukul baiters who have been casting aspersions on his supposed Muslim ancestry or DNA back off?
Yours etc.,
Nesfield b Sangma,
Via email