The disconnect in education
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: September 06, 2013 -
Director of Education (University and Higher Education) Building in Imphal in March 2013 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam
The classroom of a Government high school at Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai in Imphal West district was found converted into a poultry house while another Government Lower Primary School at Hatta Golapati in Imphal East district was found rented out to a family!!
These are some of the startling findings that have been come across by volunteers of DESAM during their routine inspection of schools and colleges in Manipur.
Even though we have cited only two schools, one in Imphal West district and the other in Imphal East district, one can safely assumes that the condition of the Government schools in other parts of the State is more or less the same.
While lack of necessary infrastructures is one common problem that most Government schools faced in Manipur in trying to ensure smooth functioning, absence of properly trained staff and dereliction of duty on the part of the teachers, etc, are some of the other common factors that contribute towards declining popularity of Government schools among the parents in Manipur when it comes to consideration for educating their children.
That is the reason why even the poorest of the poor families in the State prefer to send their children to some private schools despite the cost involved.
Introduction of schemes like Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shikshya Abhiyan (RMSA) may have brought about some changes for the better in the primary and secondary education system not only in Manipur but also in other parts of the country, but there are still many areas that require urgent attention of the State Government and more particularly the Education Department for bringing about a complete transformation in the overall system of imparting value-based education in the State.
As we have noted through this column earlier while commending on the decision of the State Government to appoint regular principals in Government colleges, the posts of which were lying vacant for the last many years, education is a continuing process that requires constant attention and sustained development.
So, for a sound education system at the higher level, the reformation process should start from the lower level.
There can be a sound higher education system 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 initiate strict action against the absentee teachers, who think about their salary only without contributing anything towards the growth of a knowledge-based society in this 21st century.
It's this 'disconnect' between the lower and higher level of imparting education that needs to be addressed first before implementation of centrally sponsored educational scheme like Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and dream of a sound higher education system in the State.
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