DESAM takes education call to Bhalla
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2025: The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has submitted a three point memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to bring progress in the State's higher education sector.

A press conference in this connection was held at DESAM head office at Kwakeithel afterwards.

According to Mayengbam Somorjit, president, DESAM, the three points listed in the memorandum are i) increased attention on Teacher Education in the State ii) clustering of colleges as per UGC's "Guidelines for Transforming Higher Education Institutions Into Multidisciplinary Institutions, 2022" and iii) rationalization of subjects and creation of new departments.

It also added that redundant or under-enrolled programs must be reviewed, consolidated or repurposed to optimize faculty resources and infrastructure without compromising academic diversity.

Speaking about the student body's long pending demand for implementation of the 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in Manipur, the DESAM president informed that on March 27, Lilong Haoreibi College received a "Letter of Intent" granting them permission to implement ITEP at the College.

With this move, the College has been approved to introduce BSc BEd and BA BEd courses.

Terming the move positive for the entire State, the DESAM president urged relevant authorities to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the courses under ITEP are introduced at Lilong Haoreibi College.

In 2020, the Cabinet resolved to recruit 95 teaching and 20 non-teaching posts for the 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme.

M Somorjit stated that they appealed the Governor to proceed with this long-delayed recruitment in the memorandum.

On another note, he pointed out that introduction of courses under ITEP in colleges will require appointment of competent Heads of Departments (HODs) who meet all the necessary criteria.

Stating that such educators will be recruited from the DM College of Teacher Education (DMCTE), he expressed worry that this move will affect the distinct identity of DMCTE as a State-owned teacher education institution.

In order to preserve the identity of DMCTE, there is a need to increase its manpower and convert it into a multidisciplinary "Institution of Advanced Study in Education" in line with the guidelines of NEP 2020 .

This will facilitate the production of more qualified teacher educators and HODs/institutional heads, he added.

Lastly, he said that DESAM sought the Governor's attention to ensure that the Government and relevant authorities streamline higher education institutions and bring advancements in this sector before the commencement of 2025-26 session.

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