Editor,
The main objective of St. Rose Secondary school as spelt out the school calendar is to cater to the under-privileged sections of Umpling and its surrounding villages. However, the reality is totally the opposite as its teachers take full advantage of the helplessness and distress of the poor students coming from such backgrounds. Our wards at the secondary school level often inform us that there has is never a day when all classes are taken and not a week passes when on some days the students are left unattended. Most often even if classes are held the students are only provided with a notebook from where they copy their notes on their own without teachers entering the class to explain the lessons properly. Except for the mathematics and science teacher, no other teacher shows any kind of concern for students’ progress despite teaching class IX and X. These teachers frequently ask students to go outside the school premises and to order tea, buy kwai or even recharge their mobile phones from the nearby shops.
This year the selection exams for class X were held between 13-26 October. The school reopened on 15th November but only half days classes were taken by the Mathematics teacher while the rest of the teachers have not entered the classrooms even once. While parents feel that such a long gap is not required as a half yearly break of 10 days had already been given. But to the utter dismay and desperation of the students and parents after so many days of rest the list of selected candidates were put up on the notice board without any marks being assigned till date for parents and students to take note of their weaknesses and strengths before they appear for the SSLC exams early next year. Out of 45 students, the teachers have also arbitrarily detained 15 students and disallowed them from appearing in the upcoming SSLC exams. For taking such drastic steps no parents’ meeting was called, no warning and no counseling was given to the concerned students which is absolutely a case of callousness, insensitivity and cruelty.
Till date, none of the courses have been completed as most of the times, teachers spend time playing mobile games in the staff room or gossiping. St Rose School is also probably the only school under MBOSE where separate school sports meet, school week, fete and many other activities are conducted round the year to avoid taking classes and without any progress report to show.
In short, the attitude and arbitrariness of the teachers in St. Rose School is nothing less than a crime against children. Most of them even in class X struggle with basic grammar, simple vocabulary and their command over other subjects is extremely dismal and terribly weak because teachers do not perform their minimum responsibility and are least bothered about the students’ progress. Few who may do well are doing so with the help of tuitions and guardians.
With such appalling state of affairs in the School, it is necessary for the authorities to take immediate corrective measures, lest the afflicted students and their parents contemplate legal action to get the basic services that is due to them by law. One must also remind the teachers that just because the students and guardians are from under-privileged sections and may not be necessarily empowered with knowledge and resources it does not mean that such unseen atrocities can continue for long.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
First earning youth in Shillong
Editor,
Chimmon Pakma a young YouTuber from Shillong earns about $45 (Rs.3083.43) per week owning his own personal YouTube channel, two self made websites, one personal radio station, one affiliate programme, one custom email ID, one toll free personal helpline number and is also the web editor of WCC (World Copyright Corporation). A young kid of 13 years owning so many things and earning a living! With some help from his parents, he managed to start working on building a company. Who would expect such great talents from such a small boy, Its surprising but it’s true. Such talent is born in Shillong.
Yours etc.,
Lawrence Ghosh,
Via email