SHILLONG, Aug 2: A large number of colleges in the state are keen to go ahead with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
The list of colleges eager to implement the NEP not only includes institutes in Shillong but also some from other districts including those presently running only a single stream. They are waiting with bated breath for the ongoing impasse between NEHU Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla and the Meghalaya College Teachers Association (MCTA) to end.
Principal of Sankardev College, Dr. Eureka FP Lyngdoh told The Shillong Times that most of the colleges which attended the meeting called by the VC are on the same page with regard to implementation of the NEP.
She mentioned that even the standalone colleges with a single stream are ready to take up the challenge to implement the NEP since they found that the new policy does not pose a high degree of difficulty as per the guidelines.
According to Lyngdoh, the colleges decided to go in favour of NEP after taking into account the interests of the students.
Principal of Don Bosco College, Tura, Fr. Bivan Rodriques Mukhim said they started the first-semester classes in July under the old (three-year) system.
He said they decided against going ahead with the NEP due to the ongoing impasse even though the college is ready to implement the new policy.
He said the other reason for not going ahead with the NEP was the point of view of other colleges in the Garo Hills region.
“The institutes are helping one another in implementing the NEP. We will wait for a resolution of the impasse. Once we receive a clear-cut directive from NEHU we will implement the NEP from the very next day,” Fr. Mukhim said.
He also stated that the teachers of the college have been directed to take classes based on a common syllabus from both the old and the new system.
A clear message has been sent to the teachers and the first semester students not to worry since they are not going to rush with the NEP implementation.
Fr. Mukhim pointed out that in view of the agitation called by the MCTA, teachers who are members of the association, have not been taking first semester classes.
Principal of Mawkyrwat-based Sngap Sing Syiem College, Dr. Kyntiew Kupar Nongsiej said they have implemented the NEP from August 1 as directed by NEHU.
Explaining the decision to go ahead with the NEP, he said the priority of the college is to serve the best interests of the students.
He said the MCTA’s non-cooperation movement has not affected the college since most of the teachers are not associated with the MCTA.
Nongsiej admitted that the college was facing challenges with regard to the NEP since it is a rural college and is bereft of adequate support from the state government.
Principal of Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai, Dr. Easter Meena Blah said they will start the first semester classes under the NEP from next week.
She said they decided to implement the NEP since the college offers multi-stream courses.
Principal of Shillong College, Dr. E Kharkongor said that they will start the first semester classes as per the NEP from Friday. The decision has been taken after due consultation with the college management, she said.
“The teachers involved in the preparation included those who are associated with the MCTA,” Dr. Kharkongor said.
Admitting that they are likely to face hiccups in view of the non-cooperation movement called by the MCTA, she said that they will utilise the service of the non-MCTA teachers since they have already held consultations with the students about the NEP.
She was hopeful that the MCTA and NEHU would be able to overcome their differences and find a common ground in the best interest of the students.
