Shillong, Mar 22: The Meghalaya chapter of the Congress Seva Dal has criticised the choice of words used by an Education Department official who stated recently that students studying for a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) do it not because they are serious about the subject but simply to secure a state scholarship.
In a statement today, Banphira Lang Basaiawmoit, the chief organiser of the Meghalaya Congress’s volunteer wing, said that such a remark is “insensitive” and a “blatant insult to aspiring teachers of our state.”
Some 2,000 students get a scholarship of Rs 5,000 each from the state government, the latest tranche of which has been delayed. Students have complained of this, saying that without the financial aid they struggle to cover the costs related to their education. However, an unnamed source in the Education Department in turn hit out at the students, saying that not even 50 percent of the students enrolled in D.El.Ed programmes pass the course and they only sign up for the diploma to get the scholarship money.
Basaiawmoit quoted a student as saying, “As teacher trainees, we are learning about motivation and encouragement for our students in the future, but the discouragement and demotivation we face is unacceptable. They (the department) have insulted our passion and dedication, saying we have enrolled for money. It’s absolutely untrue.”
The reality is that these students are struggling to make ends meet, relying on the stipend to cover daily needs, travel and training expenses, Basaiawmoit added. “Many from rural areas stay in rented accommodations and the delayed stipend has caused significant trouble and disappointment. We demand the government releases the pending stipends immediately and apologises for the hurtful remark. Our future teachers deserve respect and support, not demotivation.”
Basaiawmoit also referred to another of the unnamed official’s statements – “If you pass, we will give you your scholarship” – and he suggested that this be applied to Education Department officials, i.e. if they are able to raise the standard of education in the state only then should they be entitled to their salaries. (Meghalaya features among the worst states in national education rankings.)
“The Education Department’s priorities seem misplaced. Instead of addressing the genuine concerns of students, they’re deflecting. It’s time for accountability and action. We urge the government to take immediate action and address the concerns of our aspiring teachers,” Basaiawmoit concluded.
