SHILLONG, Sep 13: A short-duration discussion turned into a marathon debate in the 60-member House on Tuesday as members, cutting across party lines, questioned the government on the alleged mess in the education sector and suggested an immediate review for course correction.
The short-duration notice moved by Trinamool Congress MLA George B Lyngdoh revolved around the problems faced by the teachers who are forced to hit the streets regularly demanding salary hike and release of arrears besides the poor infrastructure of schools in the rural areas and the delay in appointment of teachers.
Lyngdoh pointed out that agencies monitoring the progress of education across the country have ranked Meghalaya among the lowest in terms of the quality of education offered.
“We need this discussion to understand what plagues our education system. Do we have a correct approach to our education sector? There are schools without teachers as the recruitment is under process,” he said, adding teachers have to take four-five classes as schools do not have an adequate number of teachers while some are assigned non-teaching duties.
Lyngdoh said teachers protesting on the streets was demeaning for the House. “Students are demanding better toilets and administration. What is the problem with our education sector?” he asked.
“SSA teachers come and stay overnight for days to demand their salaries. The education minister had to threaten the teachers to go back to their schools and there seems to be no planned approach after salaries are released from whatever fund there is. Who was withholding this fund? Why burden the teachers with debt? We need to filter out the problem,” he said.
TMC legislator from Mawsynram, HM Shangpliang said the teachers are overtaking the NGOs in going on strikes frequently.
“We see teachers spending more time on the streets than in the classrooms. We see students joining the teachers on the streets, as was the case with Pine Mount School. This is very unfortunate. Who is responsible for this mess?” he asked.
He reminded Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma of his commitment in December 2021 to spend Rs 2,000 crore every year on education, as had been reported in the media. “I want to know from the education minister whether this money has been sanctioned and if yes, what has the department done with this money?” he asked.
“Please get the money from the Centre first before assuring. Don’t make promises without having money in your hand,” he added.
He suggested a cabinet review of the education system and not by the CM or the education minister individually.
North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum said, “We should be ashamed of ourselves. Turning a blind eye to the teachers demanding their salaries will be the most heart-breaking visual of 2022 when we think of the government’s failure in addressing the problems faced by teachers.”
Seeking to know the budget allocation for payment of salaries of the ad hoc, SSA and contractual teachers, he asked where the money collected in the name of education cess goes.
The TMC’s Zenith Sangma said unpaid salaries of the teachers were part of the problem. The government also needs to address the issues faced by the students, managing committees and poor school infrastructure. The education scenario was pitiful, he added.
Hoping the issues would be resolved, Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem sought an end to the urban-rural disparity in the education sector. “We would like to see lower, primary and higher education in the state improve,” he said.
He batted for the Ekalavya Model Residential Schools to help the poor children in the rural areas and advised the government to give preference to local teachers for these schools. He sought special focus on Ri-Bhoi as it is an aspirational district.
Mawlai legislator PT Sawkmie said Meghalaya should have had more educational institutions after 50 years of statehood. “We have many higher secondary schools but we need more colleges and our own university. The education department officials have to pull up their socks,” he said.
The NPP’s Phulbari MLA Esmatur Mominin urged the government to increase the salary of the ad hoc teachers and also think about the SSA teachers who are rendering equal services. “The salary of the SSA teachers is a central subject but we can always take a resolution to urge the Centre for increasing their pay,” he suggested.
Siju-Rongara MLA Rakkam A Sangma said everyone should shoulder this responsibility.
“How many IAS and IPS officers, doctors, engineers and scientists have we produced in 50 years? We need to do much better,” he added.
Gambegre MLA Saleng A Sangma said the government should ensure quality education while setting up educational institutions in order to increase the employability of future generations.
He also suggested measures to let the ad hoc, semi-aided and SSA schools run on their own.
NPP legislator from Selsella Ferlin CA Sangma patted the state government for steps to improve the infrastructure of schools but said the institutions have to provide the right atmosphere to the students.
