HYC, NEHUSU want the VC to convene a meeting with all stakeholders
SHILLONG, Aug 13: The HYC and NEHUSU on Sunday resented the failure of the North-Eastern Hill University Vice Chancellor, Prabha Shankar Shukla to convene a meeting with the stakeholders, especially the leaders of the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association to resolve the ongoing stalemate over the implementation of the NEP-2020.
Expressing surprise at the VC retracting his commitment to convene the meeting, HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin said he (Prof Shukla) told the media that he would convene the meeting before Independence Day.
“During our meeting, he assured us that he would be convening the common meeting as suggested by both the HYC and NEHUSU. It seems the VC does not value his assurance,” Kharjahrin said.
He said the meeting with the MCTA and stakeholders is important for settling the issue once and for all.
The HYC president said the council’s members would not sit idle if the VC does not respect the teachers’ association and if the ongoing agitation of the MCTA affects the normal functioning of the colleges.
NEHUSU finance secretary, Mandor B. Diengdoh Swer said the union was not surprised when the VC retracted his commitment.
“The VC is well known for not valuing his own words. He is not a man of principle,” he said.
Swer said they were hoping the VC would prove them wrong this time by sticking to his commitment.
“It looks like it is futile to continue talking with the VC. We might have to take some drastic steps since the students are being affected by the present impasse,” he said.
When asked about the meeting according to his assurance to both the NEHUSU and HYC, Prof Shukla on August 10 said the state government was likely to conduct a meeting with the stakeholders on August 14.
“It would be better for the government to call this meeting since the colleges are under their jurisdiction,” he added.
On August 1, the NEHUSU and HYC suggested the VC engage with various stakeholders to break the deadlock caused by the current impasse over the implementation of the NEP in the state. (Contd on P-4)
Resentment over NEP stalemate…
(Contd from P-1) After meeting the VC, Kharjahrin told reporters they suggested a meeting involving teachers’ organisations, NEHUSU, Education Department officials, and members of various civil society groups toward finding a solution.
Swer said they managed to convince the VC for the meeting as the state is divided over the implementation of the NEP.
“The MCTA decided to boycott classes of the first semester of undergraduate courses. We do not want to see the students suffer and so sought the meeting with all the stakeholders,” the NEHUSU leader said.