MCTA: Self Interest over Students’ Future
Editor,
A lot has been written in the print media and a lot more debate has been heard on the issue of NEP and the unwillingness of the MCTA teachers to budge an inch to preserve its own egoistic stance to the point that they are willing to let the future of their students go down, forgetting the rightful obligation they owe the students who look up to them. The hard stance by the MCTA and at the same time the political gimmick they play as victims by pretending to seek the best interest of students is not fooling anyone anymore as it is very clear they stand for their own self interest.
One question that bothers everyone is if the NEP is not implemented and other Universities are already implementing it, what will happen to our students who wish to pursue further studies outside? Can the MCTA guarantee that NEHU with a maximum of 45- 50 seats will be able to accommodate all students who want to study further?
Second, since all students have been made aware of the benefits that NEP will bring like flexibility in choosing courses and subjects without the limitations of streams as well as skill- based courses, won’t they feel deprived of this opportunity they are getting in a hyper- competitive environment prevailing today? How will MCTA address this issue since they are the one opposing and acting as the main hurdle for students passing out this year and anticipating a new system which seems really interesting. Further a number of times senior teachers in colleges blame the system for the present state of unemployment of our youth but when it’s time to bring change they are the ones opposing it which shows their hypocrisy.
From conversations with my friends who are college sanctioned teachers, they say it’s usually the senior teachers who are hell bent on opposing change and are the main MCTA followers and as such are willing to keep students as ransom for their own pride and self interest while the young teachers coming from a fiercely competitive interview to get into teaching are more sympathetic with students and are more interested in just moving on to a new set up under NEP since they know what they have gone through and a new system with emphasis on skills will give their students an edge especially those students that can’t afford to go out for further studies and NEHU is all they got .
We therefore hope we have learnt that change is inevitable and must be embraced just as we all accept that teachers can teach and enter politics without having to leave their well-paid jobs then why can’t teachers accept that change in the education for students will benefits us all especially in the long run? Can we really see leaders among teachers who talk about the need for change in our education system especially in the Indian economy and commerce classes, be the change they always talk of and not be a hurdle for the generations to come?
Yours etc.,
J R L Mawphlang,
Via email
The mentally ill deserve full rehabilitation
Editor,
I am writing to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the article, “When Borders are just imaginary Lines” (TST, Aug 28,.2023). The story of “Salini” was heartbreaking. The mentally ill deserve more than the wonderful rights listed in this article. They deserve full rehabilitation and mental health.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
Urgent Plea to Embrace Electric Crematorium Facilities
Editor
The ongoing decline in forest coverage within our state has prompted an increased awareness of the consequential impacts. It is incumbent upon us to address this matter with utmost seriousness. Mere symbolic gestures, such as planting saplings on World Environment Day, are insufficient in addressing this concern. Given the current scarcity of firewood and the foreseeable exacerbation of this scarcity, it is imperative that we acknowledge the urgency of the situation. The number of firewood suppliers is dwindling every month, resulting in an undue reliance on the monopolistic suppliers who dictate exorbitant rates for wood per truckload. This financial burden is ultimately borne by those adhering to traditional and religious cremation rituals as the conventional cremation ghats cannot sustain continual losses.
Moreover, the traditional practice of cremating bodies using conventional methods not only incurs significant costs but also poses substantial environmental hazards. This practice is inherently unsustainable as illustrated by the stark reality that an entire mature tree is needed to cremate a single body.
The present era necessitates a shift in our priorities, emphasizing the preservation and nurturing of the environment over conventional practices. Redirecting our focus towards the well-being of our surroundings is paramount. A crucial facet of this shift involves the conservation of trees, as doing so safeguards the welfare of future generations.
It is crucial to understand that the stockpile of firewood within cremation ghats is to be reserved as a last resort, to be used only when electric cremation facilities are non-operational or undergoing maintenance.
Hence let us place greater importance on environmental preservation over traditional practices. The time has come for this essential transformation in perspective.
This is a message from the Gorkha Samshan Ghat Barpathar (Mawbah), Shillong:
Yours etc.,
Krishna Chettri
General Secretary
Gorkha Samahan Ghat, Barapathar,
Shillong