Editor,
A lot has been said about the propose entrance examination for students who are interested in pursuing MBBS/BDS courses from the state quota. The Government has given the reason for holding this examination which is based on the order of the Central Government. After the white ink scam in the Education Department, it is no wonder that parents and students are sceptical about the examination being fair even after the assurance given by the Health Minister on the floor of the House. Since it is now certain that the entrance examination has to be conducted, may I make the following suggestions to those who are responsible for doing so, to ensure that the results will be fair.
As is the practice with national and state entrance examinations like the JEE, COMEDK, WBJEE: (1). An OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheets must be used and the answer sheets must be graded by the scanning machine. (2). A carbon copy of the OMR answer sheets must be provided for every student. (3) Answer keys must be released or put up on the department websites one or two days after the examination. After the answer keys have been put up, every student will have the opportunity to check their answers with the answer keys. This will give the student a fair idea of how much he/she has scored in the test. If the official score that a student gets is much lower than the score from the answer keys, then the student will know that there has been a manipulation of the score sheets. This system will give credibility to those who are conducting the examinations.
Yours etc.,
D.Lyngdoh,
Shillong – 6
Save our border citizens!
Editor,
One read with great interest the news item: “KHADC mulls ultimatum to Govt” that appeared (ST June 25, 2014).Our brethren living along the inter-State border of Meghalaya and Assam have been and are still living a life of uncertainty and apprehension. The inter-State border has been the most uncared for and the most orphaned since the inception of the state of Meghalaya. On several occasions we have read, heard and some even witnessed the sad plight of people living there. I cannot help but go back to the Sahsniang incident that happened in November 2003 where nearly 4000 men, women and children were displaced from their homes in Block I and Block II areas under Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. I witnessed how our people were reduced to the status of refugees as they were forced to leave their hearths and homes and their belongings behind to flee for their lives. Today once again we read of this grave matter being tabled by the CEM, KHADC Ardent Basaiawmoit on the second day of the KHADC’s Summer Session to pressurise the Chief Minister and his government to take necessary action. A well thought of intention on a very important matter indeed. Our people have suffered for a very long time. They need to be provided security and assurance of their identity and existence. None of the governments in the past took the matter seriously. All that they have been doing is to hold rounds of talks with the neighbouring State. Till date there has been no concrete steps taken to solve the matter once and for all. A well defined boundary is very important to avoid confrontation with our neighbours. If as common individuals we maintain strict and defined demarcation of our boundaries by building walls around our property isn’t it equally important to have a well defined boundary for our State? One earnestly hopes that the issue on inter-State border will not lie dormant and be brought back to life only after a bloody backlash and only to make a political point.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via emai