MU in the limelight for wrong reason
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 01, 2021 -

IMMEDIATE conduct of investigation into the BEd entrance test question leak issue in Manipur University and punishment of those found involved in the scam remain the only option to salvage whatever reputation the varsity is left with.

In view of the Manipur University's consistent failure to figure among the prestigious higher educational institutions of the country, before and after its upgrade to a central varsity, the messy conduct of entrance test for an important course like the Bachelor of Education is both disheartening and embarrassing.

Notably, Manipur University is among a handful of universities functional in the state which has been periodically mired in controversies, mainly on the ground of non-compassionate attitude of those who are entrusted to either promptly address issues that crop up or prevent administrative anomalies.

The University had been undesirably synonymous with tumultuous events ranging from certain communities insisting on
reservation in admission,
increasing the seat quota,
recruitment of faculties,
tender process for contract works and supply of equipment,
allegation of incompetency against the vice chancellors,
protracted absence of regular vice chancellor,
inadequacies centring on infrastructure development,
police raids to apprehend student sympathisers of outlawed outfits,
demand for shifting the Assam Rifles post from the varsity campus and
injudicious administration.

Some years back, the university made headlines for the wrong reason as both students and some section of the teaching and non-teaching staffers launched intense agitations to oust the then vice chancellor AP Pandey on the ground of alleged incompetency.

The situation was so tense that the latter had, to take security protection of the Assam Rifles unit whose removal from the varsity campus has also been a long pending demand of the MU students' union.

While some issues remain unaddressed, the varsity had not witnessed any major disruptive agitation partly due to cessation of normal academic activities for nearly two years since outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

As such the controversy arising out of the entrance test for admission to BEd is yet another blot on the varsity.

However, decision of the Deans' Committee of MU to cancel the entrance test and conduct the same afresh within 15 days is worth appreciating as the move is intended to help the aspiring candidates pursue their goal of contributing towards improvement of the education sector as BEd course allows the candidates to inculcate in themselves good teaching skills and also how to work in the administrative aspect of an education system.

The course curriculum teaches prospective teachers how to play their part in making a healthy education structure.

Becoming a teacher might be backed by one's childhood wish or a decision taken later in life but this profession is held in high esteem in every society.

One of the traditional and respectful professions taken up by both men and women globally, teaching employs one in school, college, universities or academic institutions where they are responsible for catering knowledge among students and young learners in a strategic manner.

It is teachers who alone can contribute and build a healthy academic system for progressive society.

Therefore, as the Deans' Committee is prima facie convinced about leakage of the test question, the probe ordered into the mess should be thorough and conclusive so as to pull up and penalise whoever tried to cause further degeneration of the highest institute of learning.