'Poor facilities scaring away students' : Prof
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 28 2012:
Poor educational infrastructure, including sub-standard library facilities, in the higher education sector of Manipur has been cited as one of the factors for a number of State students preferring to pursue higher studies in other parts of India.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Head of Economics Department of DM College of Arts Associate Prof M Ibohal contended that poorly equipped libraries in colleges of Manipur is a deterrent to the aspirations for ushering in quality education in the State.
Contending that most of the colleges in Manipur do not have librarians at present, the Associate Professor cited DM College of Arts as an example and asserted that since service superannuation of one W Brajabidhu in 2009 no replacement has been provided till date.
Pointing out that references from library books are important source of knowledge for both the teachers and the taught, Prof Ibohal conceded that students opting for higher studies, after completing matriculation or class XII examinations, in other States is understandable as no parent would like their wards to face infrastructure inadequacies.
Disclosing that University Grants Commission had provided Rs 1 lakh to properly equip/maintain the College library apart from levying annual fees of Rs 69 on each student as library fee, he claimed that text books as well as reference literatures provided by Directorate of Education (university) and higher Education are incompatible to the current semester system of higher education.
With the text books found to be 'outdated, the students are being taught with photocopies of study materials downloaded from internet by the teacher faculties, said Prof Ibohal who also stated that relying entirely on internet is not feasible due to erratic power supply.
Further stating that most of the text books prescribed by Manipur University are costly ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 500 each, he opined that in case these text books are available at libraries problems of students with unsound economic background to possess the books could be solved to some extent.
apart from ensuring regular power supply, atleast during college hours, there is need for broad band internet connection for colleges in order to redress the problem of costly text books along with appointment of librarians at the earliest, said Prof Ibohal while informing that regular teachers of the College are also compelled to act as the librarian due to necessity.
In addition to the library besieged with staff inadequacy, DM College of Arts, considered to a premier higher education institution of Manipur is also suffering from infrastructure deprivation with the toilet facility literally defunct and girls hostel in serious need for renovation,
added the Professor.
Without taking names, he also contended that some faculty members have been enjoying handsome remuneration inspite of questionable class attendance record.
Citing DM College of Arts as an example, he mooted that in case colleges of Manipur are ensured requisite infrastructure, present day compulsion of a Manipuri family having to spent about Rs 1 lakh annually for education of a student/ward in other parts of the country could afford education at about Rs 20,000 or less here in the State.
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