Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12:
Educationist Dr S Gunadhor has questioned why the colleges in Manipur have not been allowed to open vocational education for the benefit of the students despite the required fund being provided by UGC year after year.
Speaking at the Imphal East District Students� Conference jointly organised by All Manipur Students� Union (AMSU), head office and its Imphal East District Council at Maharaj Bodhachandra College, Palace Compound here today, Dr Gunadhor noted that all the three streams of education namely Science, Arts and Vocational being offered to the students at 10 plus 2 level should be made compulsory till the University level.
Apart from not taking proper classes in some higher secondary schools which offer vocational courses, students are finding difficulties in pursuing higher studies in vocational education as there is no college which offer this stream of study once they pass 10 plus 2, Dr Gunadhor said.
The educationist noted that University Grant Commission (UGC) has been sanctioning lakhs and lakhs of rupees for opening vocational stream in the colleges and some of the colleges in Manipur are the beneficiaries, but the courses have not been offered in these colleges.
Instead utilisation certificates are being submitted from time to time to withdraw more fund, he said, adding this is really unfortunate for the State.
Despite the cry for ushering in quality education in Manipur, the truth remains that it is essential to have financial stability, peaceful atmosphere and cordial relationship between the society and the Government, the educationist pointed out.
Participating in the students� conference, college teacher Jaswanta said with removal of Inner Line Permit System from Manipur, uninterrupted flow of outsiders has given serious impact on social, economic and political character of the State.
The situation has come to such a situation now that in the number games of politics, one has to beg the mercy of these outsiders, he said, while pointing out that in Thangmeiband Constituency alone there are over 4000 outsiders whereas in Jiribam one-third of the total population comprises of outsiders.
In order to solve the problem of influx of outsiders in Manipur, it is high time that all the people made a concerted efforts, he exhorted, adding that everybody should make sure that they do not depend on the outsiders for their day-to-day requirements.
Lecturer of Kakching Higher Secondary School Th Rajen also spoke on the topic of �Role of AMSU in present society during the conference.
AMSU headquarters president Birendra Chingsubam, vice president of AMSU Imphal East District Committee Paothingthang Mate and advisor AMSU Head-quarters Kh Ratan attended the conference as chief guest, president and guest of honour.