Mothers as a force for change
Editor,
I write this as a response to the article by Dr Melari Shisha Nongrum titled “What foundation are we laying for our children?” (ST October 17, 2023). On one hand, I am fortunate to be able to send my child to an urban school in Shillong, as well as privileged to be born and brought up in this city. My child uses public transport to go to school. However, I feel remorseful about the privileges I enjoy because countless other mothers have only one option vis-a-vis their children’s education and that is to tell their child, “Khun hap ban sangeh noh ka leit skul mynta, namar ngam lah kyrshan shuh” (child you have to drop out of school because I can no longer support you).
It angers and frustrates me that children’s education is still not a right in our state and we are still debating about it. As mentioned in the article, there is a State Education Commission constituted since July 2023 and MBOSE is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Yet our children’s education is going from bad to worse. I would also like to reiterate the question, “What should we celebrate about MBOSE?” The newspaper in its June 12 2023 issue highlighted that the dropout rate at the secondary-level is highest in India at 21.7%. The national dropout rate for secondary school is 12.6% in India, while Odisha has a dropout rate of 27.3% and Assam (20.3%).
Congratulations Meghalaya for being the second from the bottom! We need to take a hard look at our education system and reflect on what reforms are needed. It is time to revamp the curriculum, employ skilful and passionate teachers and pay them well and timely. However, we mothers are to blame and so also the Khasi society.. We are led by the whims and fancies of short-sighted politicians (or so-called policy makers) and we keep electing them. When teachers were on strike very few urban mothers supported them.
Hence, my question to all city-based mothers is, “If we can afford to send our children to study in the best schools in Shillong, can we spare a thought for children in rural Meghalaya?” No one should be left behind. All children are equal and deserve the best education. If we have had the opportunity for quality education, can we in turn not use our power to turn the wheels of fortune on behalf of others? To ensure that every child in Meghalaya has access to wholesome and quality education we must bring radical reforms in the education sector.
P.S: This is not an attack on mothers, this is an attack on my educated self, this is an attack on Our Silence on such a critical issue!
Yours etc.,
Dr Ibasaralyne Thabah Synthiang,
School of Social Work,
(Martin Luther Christian University, MLCU
Via email
State of our economy
Editor
The current state of affairs in the State is dismal and the Government’s objective towards achieving the ten billion dollar economic dream still seems a little unrealistic due to factors best known to some within the government machinery. Critical sectors ranging from healthcare, poor penetration of IT education, rural development, lack of housing, land and water scarcity including bombed out roads all portray a very dismal picture to anyone who has an understanding of governance. The officials manning various crucial departments have no idea of finding long term solutions but are good at applying temporary cosmetic solutions believing they will solve the problems, which is an absolutely wrong method. A temporary solution in management terms is called recourse improvisation which is a short-term measure. Addressing unemployment requires a long term vision.
Meghalaya is also not an investment-friendly state for reasons best known to us. There is a high level of extortion and demand for cuts from sundry pressure groups and those in the government. Another factor is lack of the ready availability of local skilled workers which is crucial in the industrial, farm, real estate and construction sector. And the less we speak of our roads, the better. Let tourists see the state of our highways and then possibly we can all think of achieving the ten billion dollar economic goal.
Yours etc..
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email
Politics & its pernicious effects on academia in NEHU
Editor
The ongoing tussle between the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and his allies on one side and their adversaries on the other on the alleged “malpractices” of the VC has eventually degenerated into nasty politics and a clash of egos rather than any concern for academic progress. The series of dramatic developments in the course of confrontations have exposed the two groups and become an eye-opener for those following the events. All are least concerned about the issue; but all have been obsessed with power, politics and ego. Whether good or bad, when the entire country has implemented the NEP-20, the protesting groups have had a prolonged resistance against its implementation. If they have any concern for the students of the State, they should realise the vulnerabilities of students when they need to seek admission in other universities for further studies or when applying for jobs.
The protesting groups came to terms with the inevitable by approving implementation of NEP-20 post-facto only when their ego was assuaged by certain concessions. Alas! These protestors are not bothered about how much harm has been done to the students, as, in many colleges classes have been suspended for several months thereby seriously affecting the course of studies and the academic calendar. Whatever the consequences that have emerged from this drama it is the students who are at the receiving end. On the pretext of launching a protest against the NEHU VC’s alleged malpractices and mismanagement these protestors are punishing the students.
NEHU is the lone University in Meghalaya affiliating over 80 colleges. Because of the ongoing tussle between the two groups, Academic Council (AC) meetings have been repeatedly cancelled or suspended. A number of critical issues are to be addressed and crucial decisions are to be taken in AC meetings. To mention a few are the exam schedules for semesters, syllabi for upcoming semesters, passage of ordinances for NEP-20, affiliation of courses in colleges, etc. If the AC meetings remain blocked, the entire system will be paralysed. The colleges will be in trouble and students will be at the receiving end.
As someone who believes in integrity and against “malpractices” in appointments or any other “mismanagement,” I have one suggestion to make. The protestors are all “academicians” and therefore they must be able to plan wisely and organise their protest against the University authorities without hampering the students’ lives and careers. Please act wisely and avoid actions and words that are emotionally-hyped. This is an irrational way of handling problems. Most importantly, act timely and responsibly instead of mobilising an issue ex-post facto. Please remember that a society will progress only when the academic institutions become the spaces for truth and intellectual progress. Any movement mobilised inside the University should primarily aim at improving the academia
Yours etc.,
L. Laloo,
Via email