By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 16: The All India Save Education Committee (AISEC), Meghalaya Chapter, on Tuesday released the abridged version of the Draft People’s Education Policy in Khasi and Garo languages during an event at Synod College, Shillong.
The policy advocates strengthening public-funded education, setting itself apart from the National Education Policy (NEP), which the Committee argues promotes privatisation.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. H. Srikanth of the Department of Political Science, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), outlined the work of AISEC at both national and state levels, while stressing the need to protect education as a public good.
The released was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Education Scenario in Meghalaya’, moderated by Dr. Batskhem Myrboh, AISEC Meghalaya Chapter secretary and faculty member at NEHU. The panel featured Prof. SK Pradhan of St. Anthony’s College and Babu Kular Khongjirem of Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Higher Secondary School, Shillong.
While leading the deliberations, Dr. Myrboh highlighted the deep connection between poverty and school dropout rates and cautioned against political and bureaucratic interference in academic affairs.
Stressing the importance of legislation to guarantee a decent minimum salary for teachers at all levels, he added that “positive equality” could only be achieved by raising the service conditions of teachers to match government or deficit standards, instead of maintaining the current illogical categorisation of institutions.
He also underlined the urgency of granting autonomy to the Meghalaya Board of School Education, prescribing quality textbooks, upgrading infrastructure and ensuring adequate faculty recruitment to effectively implement the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP).
He then called for strengthening liberal arts education, arguing it was vital to building a more humane society through carefully designed curricula.
Dr. Myrboh concluded with a strong reminder on the role of governance: “Mere investing resources without priority given to effective educational governance will not lead to educational improvement.”
It may be mentioned that the programme was attended by teachers from different colleges, students of Synod College, and concerned citizens.