DESAM takes potshot at Govt for 'failing' to implement ITEP
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12 2023:
The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has blamed the Education Minister, Commissioner of Education and Director of Higher Education for their alleged inability to implement the 4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in Manipur and asked them to step down.
DESAM, in a statement, also accused the State Government of not paying special attention to uplift the education sector.
Saying that they were anticipating implementation of ITEP as a part of National Education Policy 2020 as it may find a solution for the chronic education-related issues in Manipur, DESAM claimed that the Government, however, lacks commitment and the same has been validated by the rejection of ITEP of nine colleges by NCTE.
It also said that the student organisation submitted a number of reminders to the Governor and the State Government to make sure ITEP is implemented in Manipur for the wellbeing of both the students and teachers.
Saying that former Education Minister S Rajen had on February 9, 2021 introduced the matter of ITEP in the Assembly session and assured to implement it in five colleges, DESAM claimed that the Cabinet after understanding the benefits of the programme decided to add another four colleges.
Claiming that the Directorate of University & Higher Education had even issued a notification to recruit Non-Teaching Staff as the first step of ITEP implementation on March 10, 2021 and fixed April 3, 2021 as the date for written examination and typing test, DESAM added that the recruitment drive, unfortunately, was discontinued.
DESAM continued to press the Government to implement ITEP in the following year too, it said and claimed that the rejection of ITEP of nine colleges highlights the irresponsibility of the Government representatives.
It said that DESAM would launch different kinds of agitations if the Government doesn't take up any initiative to implement ITEP in Manipur.