The bane of private tuitions
Government teachers' involvement in private tuition creates significant concerns about conflict of interest. Teachers are responsible for providing quality education to all students in public classrooms, but private tuition often leads to preferential treatment for paying students. This undermines the principle of equal opportunities in education and may result in subpar teaching efforts in public schools. Public education, designed to ensure equity, is negatively impacted as private tuition benefits only those who can afford it. This widens achievement gaps, limits social mobility, and reinforces socioeconomic inequalities.
Teachers engaging in private tuition often experience overwork and burnout, affecting their performance in both public and private settings. Their dual roles may erode trust in public education, as parents and students perceive a decline in classroom teaching quality. This dual commitment also raises ethical questions about balancing public duties with personal financial interests. While some argue that banning private tuition infringes on teachers' rights, their role as public servants requires prioritizing the common good.
To address this, stringent regulations should be introduced to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure public education remains the priority. Free or subsidized tutoring programs can help bridge the gap for disadvantaged students. Community initiatives and peer-to-peer learning models can provide additional support for struggling learners. Providing better training and resources for teachers can reduce their need to seek supplementary income through private tuition. Long-term reforms are essential to tackling this issue effectively. Conducting empirical research to understand the impact of private tuition, adopting international best practices, and fostering open dialogue among stakeholders can lead to meaningful changes. Policymakers and educators must work together to create a fair and effective public education system that prioritizes equity and ensures teachers fulfil their public responsibilities.
Heramba Nath,
Hindumaizali, Kamrup.
Street dog puppies
A common sight on the streets in rural and urban areas these days is the cute puppies following their mother dogs, whining for food and care. These cute puppies attract the attention of the animal lovers and also the common people. These cute baby canines gradually turn into street dogs facing the harsh reality. Many die, and many struggle to survive. They become the objects of neglect to many and are treated as filthy beasts. But dogs are not stupid animals. They are the most faithful and trustworthy animals to people. They are devoted to their masters. Highly intelligent, dogs have the capability of expressing their joy and happiness by wagging their tails. They are known to be the most loyal of animals. Dogs can sense the pains and emotions of their masters and can be their best friends. Avid dog lovers can adopt these homeless street puppies too, like late ideal industrialist Ratan Tata, who picked up his last pet, 'Goa' from a street in Goa. Dog lovers in general prefer collecting them from vendors or dog handlers. The adoption of pets is an important aspect of animal welfare that helps in providing a second chance to homeless and abandoned animals. Adopting a pet not only gives them a loving home but also helps in reducing the burden on animal shelters and rescue organizations
Kulendra Nath Deka,
Prakritish Deka
Dighirpar, Mangaldai
Coal mine flooding
As I write this letter, my heart bleeds for those families who have lost their loved ones in the hazardous rat-hole mines of Dima Hasao, Assam, in the recent incident of miners getting trapped and killed in these narrow tunnels. A coal mine in the Umrango area was flooded on January 6, trapping nine workers deep underground with the water level in the 340-ft-deep quarry rising to almost 100 ft. Several workers were trapped for more than 12 hours in a coal mine. Rat-hole mining is a term often considered in the context of illegal or criminal coal mining in India. This method of mining is hazardous and involves digging narrow tunnels into the earth. Despite the dangers, thousands of young workers, or in some regions child labourers, in the absence of other job opportunities, are sent into the mines to help their families. They are exposed to long hours and dangerous working conditions, that too without proper equipment, which cause serious long-term health hazards or even death. One of the most dangerous aspects of rat hole mining is drastic environmental damage. Additionally, the mining process can cause land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution. It is high time that the government takes positive steps to address this issue of these miners. It is essential to take a comprehensive approach to address these issues, focusing on regularly checking the equipment and sustainable alternatives and empowerment, safety regulations, and providing fair compensation and rehabilitation to the affected families. Only through such methods can the ruthless cycle of poverty and environmental destruction be stopped, and a path towards a sustainable future in mining can be paved. I urge the authorities to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that the rights of these miners are protected. Also, it is high time that the government and concerned authorities take proactive measures to curb this illegal activity. Protecting Dima Hasao's environment and the lives of its people should be a priority.
Madhusmita Mudoi
Cotton University
The precious
gift of parents
Parents are the most important persons in life who are considered next to god. Without parents, people feel lonely; people who have parents are very lucky. Parents do so many struggles only for their child because they are the only people who always want a better future for their child. Furthermore, behind every dream, there are always our parents. Parents are those who care for us no matter how old we get. Like no other, they never judge us and always feed us. They not only take our responsibility but also love us so much and never want their child to be misguided. Because of parents, every child is happy; they are the most valuable person for us. Likewise, parents always want to see their children get success in every field of life, but most people don't understand the value of parents. So like our parents, it is our responsibility to take care of our parents when they get old. After all, in our lives, parents play a significant role, which is crucial for us because without parents we are nothing in life; that is why we should understand the value of parents. It is not enough if we don't love them in life. We get our parents as a special gift from God; their dedication toward their children is always essential, so we should remember them until the last breath.
Asik Ahmed
(asikelahi280@gmail.com)