DESAM paints grim picture of State's higher education system
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 14 2024: The first semester examinations for undergraduate students (academic session 2023-24) of colleges affiliated to the Manipur University have not been held till date, and as such, there is likely to be no students to pursue Master's degree in the academic session 2025-26, said Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM).

When the first semester examinations have not been held for the students in Manipur colleges, the students of the same batch pursuing undergraduate courses outside the State have been admitted to third semester, said DESAM general secretary Nongthombam Thoithoiba.

Speaking to media persons at the office of DESAM at Kwakeithel today, Thoithoiba said the education system in Manipur seems to be moving backward due to lack of attention of the Government, the Education Minister and the Higher Education Department.

While colleges lack required infrastructure, no efforts are seen taken up to address the issues, he added.

"There is likely to be a drought of students to pursue Master's degree in Manipur as the first semester examinations of the students of the academic session 2023-24 have not been held till date.

This is a result of the gross negligence on the part of the Government, the Education Minister and Higher Education authorities," Thoithoiba said.

He continued that as per the National Education Policy 2020, semester examinations can be held if a certain credit hour is reached.

Credit hour is time taken or required for students to get a degree.

In short, it is the number of hours that students are taught in a semester.

If the credit hour is reached, the examinations can be held.

The authorities concerned must take up steps to hold the examinations and save the career of the students, he added.

Further, Thoithoiba said, the colleges in Manipur lack adequate infrastructure including the number of teachers required for subjects.

DESAM is against colleges giving admission to students when they lack the required number of teachers.

While they lack the required strength of the teachers, colleges often enrol students beyond their capacity.

This trend has proven ineffective and adversely impacts on the education system, Thoithoiba said.

When the available teachers are unable to maintain the classes considering the large number of students, during examinations, students have resorted to use of unfair means.

Teachers, in many cases, have become complicit in such practices, he added.

No students should be enrolled into a course if there is no adequate teacher.

Enrolling students when lacking teachers undermines the right to education and it would be treated as an act of challenge against DESAM and the student community, Thoithoiba said.

Urging authorities concerned to streamline the Manipur University ordinance in line with the National Education Policy 2020 to rectify flaws, Thoithoiba said the Government, the Education Minister and the Directorate of Higher Education must pay attention to the issues DESAM has highlighted and take up appropriate steps to address them in time.

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