Editor,
While appreciating the Education Minister, Rakkam A Sangma’s response to the Draft People’s Education Policy (PEP) released by AISEC, Meghalaya Chapter, we would like to inform the Minister that AISEC also wants that the state of Meghalaya deserves an education policy best suited to the needs and interests of the people of the state, and that we should not ape NEP 2020 blindly.
In fact, the PEP demands that education be in the state list, as the state is a better judge of what kind of education is needed for its people. We would like to bring to the notice of the state government that hasty introduction of FYUP without increasing the number of teachers has added to the pressure on both the teachers and the students. Many new papers earlier taught at PG level are added to the UG syllabus, and research element is introduced without appointing or training the teachers in research methodology. Increase of the number of core papers from 8 to 15 up to the third year (an increase of nearly 100 percent), increasing the number of credits, and adding another year to the UG program has strained the teachers and will adversely affect the performance of the students and force them to drop the program in the middle.
As per my interaction with a few of the principals, it is learned that colleges have already experienced increased drop outs (though the NEP designs to camouflage the issue as exit). The matter necessitates a proper survey to assess the real situation. Further, AISEC sees no reason why students who wish to study in Meghalaya have to sit for CUET. The problems that the students and parents have been facing the CUET could have been well avoided.
AISEC appeals to the state government not to take such hasty steps in imposing NEP at school level. AISEC, Meghalaya chapter is very concerned about the state of school education, especially in the rural areas. Pending the finalisation of the policy document which will be ready in a few months, we do not mind sharing the draft PEP with the state government. AISEC is ready to work with the state government as long as the latter is committed to pro-people education policy.
Dr Batskhem Myrboh
Secretary, AISEC Meghalaya Chapter
