Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05:
Deliberation on problems besieging the teacher community and steps to promote quality education in the State marked the World Teachers' Day observance hosted by Federation of Elementary to College Teachers' Association (Fecta) at the conference hall of Hotel Excellency today.
The observation was held with Fecta president Dr G Ranjit and president of All manipur Sec School Teachers' Association M Ritichandra as the chief guest and president respectively while senior vice president of Fecta T Rameshwor and president of All manipur College Teachers' Association Kh Laingam graced the occasion as the presidium members.
Delivering the key note address, the host Federation's general secretary Th Ibopishak explained that essence of World Teachers' Day at all level is to re-invigorate upon the teacher community their rights and duties as well as moral obligation in moulding the society in cohesion with the Government machinery.
Ibopishak also recalled of the International Bureau of Education paving the way for observance of World Teachers' Day by convening International Conference on Education on this day in 1966 with inputs from subsequent observations finally shaping the annual observance throughout the world on the theme 'The role of teachers in facing the challenges of rapid social and education changes'.
Speaking on the occasion, presidium member Laingam highlighted undesired pressure exerted upon the teachers especially heads of institution from various quarters particularly from those lobbying for contract programmes in educational institutions.
Owing to intense interference and often threats from inconsiderate elements these school authorities could hardly attend office for two hours a day, deplored the AMCTA vice president.
Clarifying on remarks from certain quarters of teachers' strength outnumbering students in some colleges, Laingam contended that out of the requisite number of 1979 teachers there are only 1040 at present.
Moreover, there is need to ensure teacher for each subject no matter the stre0ngth of students, reasoned the speaker.
Absence of Govt initiative/policy regarding training provision for teachers on newly introduced syllabus also came in for criticism from laingam who stated that change of syllabus periodically is not alien in the modern context of education.
Insisting that promoting quality education in the State largely depend on equal contribution of the Govt, teachers, students and their parents/guardians, Laingam reminded.
He also referred to vacant posts of Secretary and Chairman of BSEM as another facet of Govt's ignorance on education related administration.
Apart from reiterating crucial need for strong involvement and role of all responsible members of the society, senior vice president of AMSSTA Rameshwor said ensuring a conducive academic atmosphere through improvement in the law and order condition is equally essential.
Other speakers at the observance took grim note of nonappointment of incumbents in important and education related department, irregular payment of salaries, lack of basic infrastructure in schools and colleges and volatile law and order situation.
Unjustifiable delays in redressing problems of teachers also came in for strong criticism from the speakers.
World Teachers' Day was also observed at Sunrise Public School in Uripok Khaidem Leikai.