SHILLONG, April 12: Against the backdrop of the 50th Foundation Day celebration of the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association (MCTA), the teaching fraternity recalled the times of tribulations and how they stood their ground in the fight for their rights.
Making an impassioned opening speech in a function at Lady Keane College, Shillong, on Tuesday, president of the MCTA, Dr BH Buam, listed out the efforts made by the Association to fight for the rights of teachers, including knocking at the doors of the Supreme Court.
Stating that it was wrong to allege that the MCTA only seeks to improve the working conditions of college teachers, the MCTA president said students’ interests have always been a priority of the Association and promoting quality higher education is also an objective of the MCTA which now has membership strength of 700 college teachers.
Buam also informed that on its 50th year, the MCTA is set to acquire a piece of land to be identified by Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, for setting up their office.
Additional Chief Secretary in charge, Education, DP Wahlang, who was the guest of honour, on the occasion, spoke about the problems faced by different categories of teachers while stressing on the need to upscale the skills of teachers. “As far as the issues of MCTA are concerned, we are on the same side although we may disagree on some points but with utmost respect and dignity we shall continue to engage,” Wahlang said, while assuring the Association that the new pension scheme will be taken up in right earnest.
Wahlang pointed to the low Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education, presently at 26.1%, and said that the goal is that the ratio should go up to 50% by 2035.
Pointing at the requirements under the National Education Policy 2020, Wahlang said the focus now is on quality of education, a focus on learning outcomes, governance and accreditation. He said about 60 colleges have remained dormant and have not initiated the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) process, hence a consultant has been appointed by the government to guide such colleges.
Stating that about one million Indians turn 18 every month, it is important for educational institutions to teach students to ask themselves what they are good at, what opportunities are available and how to get there.
Wahlang talked about the need to impart critical thinking skills, while at the same time lamenting that a B.Com student looking for a job often does not even know to read a balance sheet.
He further pointed out that the NEP also aims at greater autonomy of colleges to create their own curriculum. “The need of the hour for both students and teachers is to skill, up-skill, re-skill and learn new skills,” Wahlang observed and said that what education constantly needs is to reset, reboot and recreate.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Rajya Sabha member WR Kharlukhi, who was also associated with MCTA in different positions, said MCTA has accomplished a long journey with many struggles and many a times, they were stretched to their limits.
“We are recognized for our role as teachers but when it comes to our needs, we are left to fend for ourselves,” Kharlukhi said while asserting that 5th September (Teachers’ Day) is nothing but a farce played on teachers by the powers that be.
Lamenting that even the Retired College Teachers Association is struggling to get its due recognition, he, however, said that Additional Chief Secretary in charge, Education, DP Wahlang, has cleared the file for assistance to the retired college teachers and now the file is lying with the Finance department.
The Rajya Sabha member also asked the MCTA to remain united at all times stating that unity is strength.
Vice Chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University, TK Bamon, said coming to Lady Keane was homecoming for her since she started her teaching career there in 1979 till 1995 after which she joined the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU).
Bamon said that while teachers interact with students all the time, they had very little time for professional exchanges among themselves thereby making teaching a lonely journey. This is where the MCTA comes in to facilitate the exchange of ideas, Bamon said, adding that teachers are the torch-bearers of civilisation and must be treated with respect.
The celebration was followed by a panel discussion on the topic — Status of Education in Meghalaya: A retrospection.
The panel discussion was moderated by Dr S Varghese, Department of Phillosophy, Lady Keane College.
The panellists included Prof P Biswas, Department of Philosophy, NEHU, RG Lyngdoh, Former Vice-Chancellor, MLCU, and Patricia Mukhim, Editor of The Shillong Times.
During the panel discussion several key issues were raised but foremost among them was the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) which teachers felt would further reduce the gross enrolment ratio (GER) since many students might not make the grade. Teachers felt that CUET is another opportunity for coaching centres to make money and it would further bring disequilibrium in enrolment where only those who could afford coaching would get in while other students would fall through the cracks. The question that everyone wanted an answer to is “Where will those that do not qualify to enrol in undergraduate courses go?”
Teachers also expressed their disappointment that in 50 years not a single State run University has been started. Prof Prasenjit Biswas pointed out that Assam has 21 state funded universities while West Bengal had 57.
The celebration concluded with a cultural programme where various units of MCTA presented different items.
