Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui Apprises Centre of Education Scene

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui yesterday called on Union Minister for Human Resource Development Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in New Delhi to seek the centre’s intervention on different issues pertaining to the State.

On the Draft National Education Policy, Lahkmen Rymbui apprised the minister that restructuring the entire educational facilities in the State would be a difficult exercise and would put a lot of financial burden as 50 per cent of the schools in Meghalaya were run by minority organisations.

Rymbui also urged the Centre that minority institutions should be allowed to manage the school managing committees through their sponsoring bodies so as not to dilute their sacrifice and initiatives taken especially in the elementary section.

He also said that restructuring school curriculum and pedagogy in a new 5+3+3+4 design will entail additional manpower and specific subject teachers will have to be appointed for teaching from Grade 9 to 12.

Expressing concern and financial burden for introduction of classical language, foreign languages in schools, Rymbui pointed that unless a special scheme is rolled out for recruitment of language teachers, offering such language at schools, colleges and universities would be a difficult exercise. The State government reiterated status quo be maintained regarding language policy.

Issues of stand alone teacher Institution like B.Ed and DIET was also discussed as it is very difficult for the College or DIET to integrate with other institution where The HRD Minister that the matter will be discuss.

Rymbui also raised the issue of D.El.Ed programme conducted by National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), wherein the trainees from 2013-15, 14-16 and 16-18 where yet to get their marksheet and original certificates, even after completion of their courses.

Pokhriyal assured the Chief Minister and Education Minister that the matters will be taken up and necessary interventions will be made.

On Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rymbui pointed that Ministry of HRD had committed to release Central share of Rs 253.49 crrore against Rs 523.36 crore sanctioned by PAB 2018-19. However, the actual release was Rs 237.846 crore with a shortfall of Rs 15.644 crore.

He also apprised the Union Minister that for 2019-20 there was a shortfall of Rs 145.147 crore for implementation of SSA, while the Centre had committed to release Rs 348.653 crore instead of PAB 2019-20 approved allocation of Rs 523.53 crore.

He said that due to shortfall of funds released by the ministry, the State has been facing difficulties for implementation of SSA. The Chief Minister and Education Minister has urged centre to look into the matter.

On implementation of 9 model schools in Meghalaya, Rymbui said that funds for the centrally sponsored schools amounting to Rs 15,03,00,00 (50 per cent of the central share) were released in 2011, however the project was discontinued in 2015 and the financial burden was given to the State. Rymbui urged the centre to reconsider the Model School Scheme for Meghalaya and ensure completion of the schools, which were initiated in the State. The Union Minister has instructed the department to examine the matter.

Rymbui also expressed problems for local aspiring students due to restricted reservation policy in institutes like North Eastern Regional Institute of Education (NERIE), English and Foreign Language University (EFLU), IIM Shillong, NEIGRIHMS, etc.

Also Read: Khasi Student Union pushes Education Minister of Meghalaya Lahkmen Rymbui for setting up State Government University

Also Watch: Shortage of teacher in Sonari school | The Sentinel News | Assam News