By Kamakhya Bhattacharjee
After nearly two years, there are now some discussions and gossip, even during our morning walks, particularly after a few write- ups in newspapers on this very important topic of NEP(2020) . The process of discussions is continuing. Some vital points have also been raised in respect of the government’s plan to implement NEP (2020) and its struggle for finance management in these accounts. In a similar NEP conclave the government of Assam has called for transforming Assam into an ‘educational hub’ of Eastern India. The Government has already declared some seven colleges in seven districts of Assam to be promoted to the status of Universities. We feel that this declaration is again a very short-sighted decision without much discussion with the stakeholders. All these are however welcome moves.
At present we think the most vital issue is how to upgrade our educational institutions. Let us start with one or two things at the very beginning, and perhaps one or two institutions in every Community Development Blocks in Meghalaya to start with. Of course we do remember before our 2023 Assembly Elections many of our aspiring candidates had promised that better educational policies will come once their political party is elected to form the government. Whatever be the reasons, once we start somewhere we may find it easier to make the next move. In this connection opinions of the respective institutions, both private as well as government schools or colleges are very important. With the present infrastructure available how will these institutions upgrade their respective institutions, keeping in mind that the resources are very limited.
The Department of Education may invite their written opinions through newspapers so that the educationists and ex-head of the institutions as well as general citizens may understand the urgency of our needs of strengthening our institutions and give their valuable opinions. It may become easier for our government to find the necessary resources; of course, we feel that we the general public have to share some burden of resource generation since it is an important investment for our future.
There are some vital issues or challenges we are facing now. They are – maintaining uniformity in the academic calendar, syllabus, grading patterns, curriculum upgradation, and many more challenges will come up one after another. All these aspects need to be discussed in detail. About a year ago Shillong based Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) had organized a seminar and invited some prominent educationists to provide their valuable opinions. Professor Sonali Nag of Education and Psychology, Oxford University had suggested the importance of home learning environments to complement school learning, story book reading as learning tools, and some other measures.
Among other challenges, providing students scope for playing, drilling for physical exercises, and fun among themselves, and a well-balanced School Library; subject-wise Laboratories within school campuses since we do not have any parks or playgrounds in our localities. Connecting children with nature from time to time, debate competitions once or twice in a month or year, annual sports, picnics, etc., are all very important activities that need to be introduced.
Reducing the load of school books and copies is another issue we need to consider. We think it is important to make our children future-fit so that they may face the future challenges with ease. Further, our children should also know about the utilities of our foot paths, road safety, maintaining cleanliness, both in homes as well as outside, in our towns and villages, regarding our environment, our rivers and forests, etc., which will provide us future employment and earnings.
Then comes the issue of teacher’s skill development. This issue is very important because unless we have dedicated teachers we cannot achieve our goals, and for that dedication our teachers must be paid well. Very careful selection, regular training, upgrading as well as updating their skills, etc. has to be taken care of. Can we ensure that our teachers need not go for sit-in protests, fasting, road blockages, resulting in being dragged by police, and punishing them through pay cuts, etc. We must preserve the dignity of our teachers. Ad-hoc appointments, part payments, and other forms of appointing should be strictly avoided. Sufficient budget provision must be made before the process of appointments. Teacher’s salaries should be paid in full and on the 1st of every month. Our governments should not encourage private tuitions as well as the so called ‘special coaching centers’, publication of shortcut books, mushroom growth of tiny private and personal schools, etc.
Some may feel that our democratic right to earn livelihoods through personal schools will suffer because of this. Our elected government should act on this and decide the action. Finally the parents and guardian’s full hearted cooperation and support is needed since good education will provide us good future citizens and we all will feel very proud of our children. Let us move forward. Who knows, we may get our ‘Educational Hub’ and ‘London of the East’ tags back.
(The writer may be contacted at [email protected])