Editor,
The meeting of Meghalaya CM with the Union Education Minister vis a vis the CUET and the CM’s report thereafter has resulted in confusion worse confounded. Thanks to social media, we can see them the questions being thrown at the CM about their gloomy future. Some asked if they could get back the exam fees since they don’t want to write the test. Matters were made worse when Conrad Sangma, with all honest intentions, tried to lend a helping hand in matters of CUET without realising that only two colleges in Meghalaya are state- sponsored. These two colleges cannot accommodate all UG aspirants. Not only that, many students who can afford to wish to study outside in prominent colleges.
The fear of the Delhi University professors about the mismatch of textbooks in a country as vast as India compounded with the fact that rural students are yet to be computer literate does not seem to bother the UGC seated in the national capital. Most critical was the observation of D. Rajesh Thapa that while CUET was still under discussions, National Testing Agency (NTA) with coaching centres and guide books had already jumped in to coach some schools with the MCQs. Is this fair when millions are yet to understand what CUET MCQs will look like.
That old resolute determination of the govt to ban tuitions is complete forgotten today. .Students of this era live in the world of spoon-feeding coaching centres in urban areas that have made our school learning irrelevant. And Conrad Sangma with little idea on which are state aided or sponsored, fell into the trap, and our UG aspirants are now in deep confusion.
It is unfortunate that despite dissent expressed by several learned educationist against CUET, the UGC simply bulldozed it’s way. And considering that the North East has no voice in Parliament we are left abandoned. And I dare say that in the same manner that NEET has disappointed our high scorers, there will be great disappointment all over India for those not habituated to NTA’s MCQs.
On hindsight looking at the birth of NEHU in 1974, did we blunder when we opted for a Central University instead of a State University? And going by the bulldozing conduct of UGC from time to time , the appropriate answer is YES. We did. And it’s a huge blunder! The result is being felt right now since with 13 languages allowed, barring Khasi, Mizo, Naga et al and those from South India we are a drop in the sea of CUET. This Act therefore is already discriminatory in terms of languages allowed.
There are no quick solutions for Meghalaya because since 1972, we did not give priority to education. Had we been conscientious and adopted judicious monitoring and used the coal revenue to fund education by now we would have possessed a State University of our own. Also if we had shed off that maddening phrase “Foreigner… Influx of Outside Scientists and Technocrats” phobia by the three in the Secretariat viz Planning, Personnel and Finance (not from pressure groups) we would have done much better.
This bandwagon of anti-outsider is the reason for missing the Central Agricultural University twice offered by UPA in 2010. If there was a vision our children will not land in this sea of uncertainty and gloom. Our lack of concern and also lack of respect for education be it in the way we treat teachers for SSA, contractual or Ad-hoc post and with no plan whatsoever to build Medical, Engineering colleges has finally boomeranged. Are we looking at the Waterloo of Meghalaya? And who is the Napoleon Bonaparte here?
Yours etc
W. Passah,
Via email
NEHU: Anomalies galore
Editor,
As concerned stakeholders we would like to bring to the attention of all regarding the anomalies in the functioning of the esteemed North Eastern Hill University Examination Department.
The NEHU Ordinances OC-15 Amended Provision on Academic Calendar of the University under section 26 (1) (q) of the NEHU Act 1973 states that “ The University will have at least 180 days of actual teaching in a year, with at least 90 teaching days in a semester “.
Keeping this mandate in mind let me now proceed. The last NEHU Theory Odd semester examination began on the 3.02.2022 and ended on the 21.02.2022. This theory examination was followed by Practical examinations. Further, on 7.03.2022 a letter bearing No:EX:UG:MISC: Academic Calendar:2022:254 was issued by the Deputy Registrar( Exams) of NEHU notifying all affiliated colleges that the regular classes for the Even semester is to begin from 18.02.2022. Let me point our here that the Odd semester theory examinations as per the NEHU notified routine were still on and the practical exams had not even begun.
Therefore, most affiliated colleges actually began their teaching session for the present Even Semester only on March 2022.
Now keeping in mind the mandated actual teaching days of 90 days per semester as stated above NEHU has issued a notification dated May 2, 2022 bearing No: F.EX/ AR/ UG-PROG/2019-22/3260 notifying Theory examinations for the Even Semester from 25.05.2022.
In light of the above and keeping in mind the dates I fail to rationalize as to how can NEHU schedule and notify examination dates for the Even semester for UG students to be held from 25.05.2022 when the 90 actual teaching days criteria is not fulfilled? Kindly do the simple math. From the date of the last odd semester exam 2022 ie 21.02.2022 till the date of the present even semester exam ie 25.05.2022 there are 92 days which also includes Sundays as well as other national and state holidays. So where are the 90 actual teaching days as mandated? Further, even if NEHU officials go as per the notified calendar I wonder if classes for the next Even semester can be held while exams of the Odd semesters are going on?
Yours etc.
Concerned Teachers (Name withheld on request)
Via email