Voice of the People Party (VPP) President Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has termed the State government’s initiative of introducing the CM IMPACT guidebooks a “blunder” that will downgrade education system in Meghalaya.
Basaiawmoit expressed concerns that the guidebooks focus solely on increasing pass percentages, neglecting the quality of education and the future prospects of students. “This will not help our students compete with those outside the state,” he said.
Although it has faced plenty of criticism from certain quarters about dumbing down education in the state, the guidebook introduced under the initiative of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, was credited as a game changer for boosting the pass percentage of 87.10 per cent in this year’s SSLC examination.
The VPP chief reiterated his party’s stance against the introduction of the guidebook for SSLC students that reflect a failure to enhance education through meaningful reforms and “relying on superficial methods that prioritise numbers over true learning.”
He also criticized the government for creating admission problems in colleges with the high pass percentage.
Basaiawmoit warned that the guide book will stifle competition among students, leading to a lack of interest in learning. “The state government has removed the spirit of competition, which is essential for young students,” he said.
He also expressed concerns about the long-term effects of the guide book on students’ mentality and psychology. “Teaching children that life is easy will spoil their lives,” he added.