SHILLONG: “Reclaiming Education” was the theme of a day-long seminar organized by ICARE at the Asian Confluence on Wednesday. Toki Blah, president of ICARE, articulated the purpose of the seminar, which was to survey the school education scene in the state with a view to preparing a white paper. The recommendations from these exercises will be discussed with political parties so as to ensure the inclusion of high priority recommendations in the election manifestos of the various parties for the 2018 elections in the state.
Education experts from the state were the main speakers for the seminar. Dr Flourette Dkhar of the North East Regional Institute of Education (NERIE) delivered the first presentation on the need for convergence. She highlighted the importance of disseminating the curriculum specially prepared for the state to all schools, so that common content and teaching-learning methods could be ensured across the state. The curriculum prepared for the state is in alignment with the National Curriculum Framework.
Dr Melissa Wallang, also from NERIE, presented a wide ranging list of issues which should be taken up in a comprehensive school education policy, highlighting the need of the education system to cater to the diversity of students in the classroom.
Dr Veronica Pala of the department of economics of NEHU described the social cost of the high dropout rate in the state. The dropout rate in Meghalaya is the highest in the country and she outlined the measures needed to reduce the scale of this problem.
Carmo Noronha of Bethany Society made a plea for a universal design of learning, in which children with special needs would fully participate in the learning activities of the classroom along with the other children. Several speakers emphasized the need for political will to address the complexities of financing, administering and improving the quality of school education in the state.
In an open house session, the participants gave their suggestions on how to improve in particular the primary education scenario in Meghalaya which has for long been ailing from poor infrastructure, lack of trained teachers, teacher absenteeism, complete absence of supervision by the Education Department and lack of accountability of Managing Committees. It was felt that if the problems plaguing primary education today is addressed and a strong foundation for constructivist learning is promoted with room for creative expression, the foundation for middle and secondary school would have been laid.
All who attended the seminar expressed their concern on the weight of the school bag, the extreme pressure of homework which takes away the joy of learning of children from a very tender age. On the current two-year BEd course, several participants felt it was expensive and therefore not affordable for many who would have otherwise joined the teaching profession.
Concerns were also expressed on the fact that education in Meghalaya has not been given the priority it deserves thereby leading to its present decrepit state. It was felt that a more active participation by stakeholders comprising parents, teachers, the community et al would help improve learning outcomes. The commercialization of text books many of which do not meet the required standards but were being pushed by authors and publishers was a concern expressed by many in the audience. The seminar was attended by representatives of the major political parties, NGOs, colleges and universities. Principals and teachers of several schools participated in the discussions. Journalists also presented their views.
