DESAM blames Edu minister, officials for ITEP snub
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 12 2023: Deeply saddened by rejection of 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in government colleges of the state, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DES AM) has said that the education minister, education commissioner and education director must be responsible for rejection of ITEP.

There were huge expectations among people about introducing ITEP, ending of out dated education system and laying a good foundation for the society through better education system with the launch of National Education Policy-2020.However, rejection of ITEP in nine government colleges of the state indeed was a clear example of devilish nature of those in power and authority concerned who want to destroy the society, DESAM said in a statement.

DESAM was hopeful of introduction of ITEP in the state in sync with initiation for National Education Policy-2020 and accordingly kept strict vigil on the matter.

When government acted contradictorily after giving assurance of implementing ITEP in the state initially, DESAM did not wait for the government and started creating awareness on importance of implementation of ITEP in the state.

Accordingly, DESAM informed people in advance (2019) that National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) will be introducing ITEP for teacher education soon.

Strengthening teacher education programme, NCTE brought out a 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP).

DESAM had a big dream of having ITEP in the state too but the state government did not act satisfactorily to implement the programme.

This prompted DESAM to submit a proposal to the Governor of Manipur on August 27, 2019 and then submitted a memorandum to the chief minister on January 10, 2020 highlighting the importance of implementing ITEP in the state.

As government failed to take up any positive action, DESAM made a public announcement for closing the office of directorate of university & higher education on June 2, 2020 but the proposed agitation was withdrawn after authority assured of implementing the ITEP in the state.

Acknowledging the importance of ITEP, then education minister S Rajen brought up the matter in the state assembly on February 9, 2021 and the House took a resolution for taking up necessary steps to begin ITEP in five government colleges of the state.

After realising importance of the pro gramme, the government took a cabinet decision on implementing ITEP in nine government colleges and even started taking up steps including recruitment process for non-teaching staff.

When date for written and typing test for the recruitment was fixed on April 3, 2021, DESAM felt that the government has started taking interest in teacher education programme.

Unfortunately, all the processes for ITEP came to a grinding halt and the government remained in complete silence on the matter.

On June 23, 2022, DESAM locked office of the directorate of university & higher education against non-appointment of regular principal and assistant professors.

On the same day, an appeal was made for taking up necessary arrangements for implementing the ITEP in the state.

Very recently on January 4 too, DESAM placed the importance of ITEP and its fate clearly to the people of the state.

Unfortunately, no representative from the state was sent to Eastern Region Committee's meet held recently and accordingly NCTE rejected ITEP, DESAM said and maintained that government must be responsible for rejection of the ITEP in the state.

While appealing to the government to act in accordance with the commitment made earlier on ITEP, DESAM asked the education minister to resign on moral ground and further urged the government to replace bureaucrats holding charges of higher education.

Comment