SHILLONG: The effort of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) to concentrate in increasing the pass percentage was criticized by HSPDP MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit saying that such a system fails as it cannot help the students cope in higher studies and this has resulted in the dropping out from courses halfway which led to sudden decline of science students in the State.
Moving a cut motion on the functioning of the Education department, he said, “There are few loopholes in the present system of education that I consider very important for the government to pay serious attention to.”
Speaking on the fate of Jowai and Tura polytechnics, he said, “It is learnt that since 2007 Jowai & Tura polytechnics are without full-fledged principals. These institutes are in-charged by Faculty of Shillong Polytechnics on dual charge.”
He claimed that these institutes are being run by Faculty of Shillong Polytechnics as Principals (on dual charge), with a distance of 60 kms and 250 kms respectively and stated that students’ lives and careers are being played with.
As far as technical education is concerned, he asserted that the government is yet to create a separate Directorate for Technical Education after setting up many technical institutions which includes Technical University in Tura, Engineering Colleges in Shillong Polytechnic Campus, Jowai and Ampati, College of Architecture and Urban Planning in Tura, new Polytechnics in many districts and Centre of Excellence and so on and so forth.
He added, “I am saddened by the fact that till today there is no proper Service Rule for Technical Education and Promotion are being done haphazardly that junior supersedes senior not on the ground of merits but luck.”
Basaiawmoit queried as to the implementation of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) pay scale and benefits the teachers are getting.
Referring to Meghalaya State Council for Technical Education (MSCTE), he sought queries as to the present officers and staff position of the Council.
He said, “It has come to my notice that students are being deprived of a regular backlog examination in spite of their fervent request on the ground of no staff except one LD Assistant – this is very sad considering the hundreds of subjects in various semesters and for many different courses.”
