The Khasi Students Union (KSU) in South West Khasi Hills has urged the government to improve quality of education in the district and submitted six points for its consideration.
These were submitted to Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui today emphasising on how the district, which was created 10 years back still lacks infrastructure for development of education.
The first point raised by the student’s body was setting up the district institute of education and training to facilitate teaching aspirant, who currently have to go to Nongstoiñ in West Khasi Hills district, to pursue Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)
The KSU reminded the minister that a foundation stone for construction of the Block Institute of Education and Training (BIET) Centre was laid in Sakwang since 2014-15 and it never took off. They said that the centre should be upgraded to a district level institute.
Pointing out that the office of the Director of Schools, Education and Literacy through a letter dated November 3, 2021 has approved upgradation of seven lower primary schools to the upper primary schools the KSU asked the government to sanction funds for teachers in these schools besides expansion of the buildings.
Another point raised by the KSU was setting up of a SSLC centre in Umdohlun and Wahkaji to cut short amount of travel that students from these areas have to undertake.
It also urged the government to inspect schools with shortage of teachers and schools that require repair besides speedy construction of a residential school at Shnongkalong.
To ensure transparency in appointments of assistant teachers in government schools the KSU suggested following the guidelines on minimum qualifications as per norms laid by the the National Council for Teachers Education.
Further, the KSU said that the government should ensure that temporary and permanent teachers appointed should be those who qualify the D.El.Ed and those who possess the M.T.E.T passed certificate.
