Low student population in state worries Education minister
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 29 2022:
Pointing out that youth, especially the students, are the pillars of the future society, education minister Th Basantakumar has expressed concern over the low population of students in the state.
The minister made the observation in a felicitation function of students who excelled in academic and sports in year 2022 and inauguration of a two-day workshop cum demonstration on 'rooftop gardening and landscape designing' held at the auditorium of Naorem Birahari College, Khundrakpam in Imphal East district on Saturday.
Speaking as chief guest of the event, Basantakumar disclosed that the percentage of student population in the state is only 25 per cent, which is comparatively low and stressed the need for increasing student enrolment in higher education.
Youth are the pillars of the future and education prepares them to become better and responsible citizens.
Roles and responsibilities of parents, guardians and teachers are crucial in making the students good citizens, who would contribute in the nation building process and bringing development in the society, he said.
The government is discussing a policy to make singing of the state song 'Sana Leibak Manipur' and national anthem mandatory in every function held in schools and colleges with the hope that it would help in instilling the idea of national integration.
The government had declared Saturday as no-school bag day and the initiative was made to educate the students on other aspects of education such as soft skill, team work, discipline, leadership quality among others, the minister said while stressing on the importance of such skills and education in order to make the students better citizens.
Basanta also proposed the idea of renowned or accomplished personalities adopting government schools or colleges in their vicinity to encourage students and help in bringing quality education.
The idea of adoption is not about investing in the school or college but to closely monitor the functioning of the educational institutes regularly, he explained, while pointing out that certain rules and regulations have been implemented after the NEP 2020 came into existence.
Urging the authorities of government aided colleges to refrain from fund drive activities for upgrade to full-fledged government institutions, he said that the government has certain sets of criteria and assessment mechanism for upgrading colleges.
He urged the governing body of Naorem Birahari College to put their efforts towards developing the college into a deserving one while assuring of upgradation as and when it becomes eligible.
In his address, former ICHAM president Nongthombam Rajendro said that Meetei community celebrates several festivals and this tradition somewhat affects the academic career of students.
It is time to reconsider this tradition and strike out some non-indigenous festivals.
Apart from introspecting on extravagant spending in celebrating festivals, it is time for the government as well as the public to focus on spending vital resources for improvement of education sector, he said.
College governing body chairman L Ibohal and secretary Usham Dijen also attended the event as members of the dais.