‘Govt has to come out with a display of its intent and the timeline. Once we understand the status of NEP in other states, then we can judge if the Meghalaya govt is refraining or the other state governments have also not been supported adequately in this policy’
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 9: Opposition party Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday asked the state government to present a white paper in the Assembly during its upcoming Autumn session, citing how it is planning to implement National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
TMC vice president George B Lyngdoh said the government should furnish a white paper outlining its plans for implementing NEP, including details about necessary resources and infrastructure, as well as initiatives to enhance the skills of teachers.
The demand on white paper comes as the confusion over NEP continues in the state.
Lyngdoh said whenever a new policy is proposed, there will definitely be some hurdles in its implementation.
“After NEP was announced in 2020, what steps did the central government take to augment the resources of the state as well as that of colleges, higher secondary schools, other institutions and especially teachers? Were their strengths and weaknesses taken into consideration?” he asked.
Stating that an analysis of such kind is yet to be seen, the TMC leader said the Ministry concerned did not define the path in consultation with stakeholders, especially the state government.
“NEP has been put as a burden on the state. If there are no resources, then how are the states going to move forward?” he asked.
He further asked if a state lacks infrastructure and resources and the skills of teachers are not upgraded, how it can even think of NEP.
“The government has to come out with a display of its intent and the timeline. That way, everybody will be clear,” Lyngdoh said.
There is a perception that as the state government did not seek more time to implement NEP, it added to the prevailing confusion.
Talking about it, the TMC leader said, “Once we understand the status of NEP in other states, then we can judge if the Meghalaya government is refraining or the other state governments have also not been supported adequately in this policy.”
“Since this policy has been put forth by the Centre, it is expected that the Centre would handhold the states in this matter,” he added.