By Shimon N. Shullai
In the hilly terrain of educational reforms, the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) finds itself embroiled in a maelstrom of accusations and counter-denials surrounding the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). As the echoes of dissent and support reverberate, the future of Meghalaya’s academic landscape hangs in the balance.
The year 2023 has borne witness to a tumultuous clash of perspectives within the NEHU community, raising questions about the wisdom of timing and the readiness for change. A cacophony of voices has risen, each offering its own rendition of the tale, painting a complex tableau that demands discernment.
For proponents of the NEP 2020, a silver lining pierces through the storm clouds. A majority of students, parents, and educational groups have rallied in its favor, praising the policy’s embrace of flexibility as a panacea for the constraints of the traditional educational framework. The introduction of features such as Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit, interdisciplinary subject selection, and the integration of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into curricula has garnered widespread applause. The allure of a more holistic and adaptable education system has been hard to resist, even among those initially skeptical.
However, amidst this crescendo of support, a dissonant note emerges from the Meghalaya College Teachers Association (MCTA). Their opposition hinges on the lack of infrastructural readiness in several colleges—a legitimate concern that finds resonance with the realities on the ground. The plea for the provision of requisite funds and the appointment of additional faculty members speaks to the heart of the matter: can the ship of progress set sail without a sturdy anchor? “Why the silence?” one might ask.
The Government of Meghalaya stands as a sentinel on this educational voyage, yet its voice remains elusive. The urgency of addressing infrastructural inadequacies and teacher shortages appears to have been overshadowed, leaving educators and students to navigate uncharted waters,
In the realm of academia, conflict often takes on the guise of procedural wrangling. The NEHU Teachers Association (NEHUTA) cries foul, urging the Vice-Chancellor to annul the NEP 2020 implementation for the year. Yet, veiled in ambiguity, the transgressions that allegedly transpired within NEHU’s hallowed halls remain shrouded. It is here that rhetoric intersects with reality—a clash of interpretations that obscures the path ahead.
The canvas, however, is not devoid of strokes of progress. The Academic Council of NEHU, custodian of scholarly rigour, approved the ordinances and regulations that set the stage for NEP 2020’s integration. The collective endeavor of crafting syllabi and curricula, anchored in subject groupings ranging from skill enhancement to value-added courses, paints a picture of inclusivity and adaptability. These are the brushstrokes of an institution striving to be relevant within an evolving educational landscape.
In the cacophony of opinions and the pull of politics, the student stands at the heart of the debate. The future leaders, scientists, artists, and thinkers of Meghalaya face the uncertainty of an unresolved discourse. Delay, one must ponder, begets its own costs. The potential ripples are felt far beyond the realm of NEHU—a missed opportunity for students enrolled elsewhere, a potential setback in the CUET-PG competition, and the looming specter of being left behind in the national academic arena.
The call to arms is now heard—a call that transcends affiliations and agendas. Stakeholders of diverse shades must unite, casting aside the shadows of politics, and illuminating the path forward. The legacy of NEHU, intertwined with the dreams of Meghalaya, beckons for unity in purpose. The clarion call rings loud and clear: the time has come to propel NEHU to greater heights, fostering an environment of growth that eschews the divisive and embraces the collective. It’s time to champion the cause of NEP 2020, not as a token of political maneuvering, but as a beacon guiding the state’s next generation toward a brighter future.
(The writer holds degrees in B.Tech, LL.B., M.A. (Political Science)