Government neglecting teachers education: DESAM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2020:
The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has lamented State Governments' alleged negligence of teachers education.
DESAM's president Nameirakpam Edison Meitei while speaking to media persons at Kwakeithel office of DESAM, said UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and State's own Vision 2030 emphasise more on Education.
Saying that NEP 2020 also gives weight on improving 'Teacher Education', Edison decried that the Manipur Government has been long neglecting the sector and the situation at the Dhanamanjuri College of Teachers Education (DMCTE) is a distinct example.
He said that the DMCTE is being administered under a Principal-in charge for 15 years and with the recruitment of part time lecturers against the norms framed by National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE), BEd course programme at the college was cancelled following a meeting of NCTE Easter Region Council held in February.
DESAM is however happy to learn that the cancellation of the BEd course had been withdrawn during a sitting of the same council on November 26 last, he said.
Though the matter has been sorted out, it reflects desperation to keep the institute running as no recruitment to vacant posts of faculty has been conducted, he said while adding that such a time to time measure would not last long.
Taking note of the situation, the State Government should ensure that DMCTE gets a regular Principal and inducts required number of faculties for smooth and proper functioning, he appealed.
Edison further said that the MEd Course was introduced at the college during the academic session 2004-2005 but the college has not inducted requisite staff and faculties and managing with the few teachers available.
It has come to their notice that the State Cabinet has resolved to conduct recruitment to fill the vacant posts of faculties but no visible action has been seen yet, he continued.
In the meantime, the entrance test for admission 'to MEd course in DCMTE for the academic session 2020-21 has been cancelled under the pretext of COVID-19 pandemic, he said while questioning why DCMTE had to cancel the entrance test while Manipur University and Dhanamanjuri University successfully conducted entrance test for admission to various post graduate courses.
He further demanded DCMTE authority to conduct entrance tests for admission to both BEd and MEd courses.