Sound Higher Education
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 31, 2013 -
Amidst all these depressing news of killing, protest and political bickering, the decision of the Government of Manipur to appoint regular principals for 25 Government colleges must have brought cheer not only among the students and teachers, but also to all those who are concerned about development of higher education sector in the State.
For the last many years, various students’ and teachers’ bodies submitted representations and launched agitations to press for appointment of regular principals in all the colleges under the Government.
But the demand had always been ignored for reasons best known to the Government itself despite the fact that absence of regular principals in the Government colleges has given a severe blow to the normal functioning and administration of the colleges, thus, undermining efforts made for development of higher education sector in the State.
How the Government is going to bring about a change in the higher education system of the State when its own colleges are functioning without regular principals and necessary infrastructure, was the one question that was being asked by everyone. So, even if the decision for appointment of regular teachers for 25 Government colleges has come at long last, nonetheless, it is laudable, as it would surely give an impetus to the ongoing efforts for development of higher education sector in Manipur.
In this era of globalization and information societies, it would be needless to say that a sound higher education system is a must. Today, knowledge is the driving force behind the economic growth and development of a nation, and higher education is the main source of that knowledge.
In fact, with information technologies, knowledge generated through research and higher learning has transcended even the National boundaries faster than the capital or people.
So, the future of a nation depends largely on the human capacity to process and absorb the knowledge generated.
It is here the crucial role of the colleges and other institutions of higher education in enhancing a nation’s human capacity to absorb and use knowledge comes in to play.
However, education being a continuing process that requires constant attention and sustained development, a sound higher education system in Manipur, or for that matter in any society, could be possible only when the existing system of education right from the elementary stage upto the higher secondary level is strengthened by taking care of the required infrastructural needs and teaching staffs, the lack of which has unfortunately become the trademark of education system in Manipur for long.
Anyway, let’s hope for the best. Now that the State Government has taken the decision to appoint regular principals in colleges at long last, we would like to look forward to judicious appointment of the best candidates for the posts without giving any room for corruption and favouritism.
That should be the base for a sound higher education system in Manipur.
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