Shillong, July 30: The Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) today have sent the memorandum to the Union Minister incahrge Ministry of Human Resources development Government of India Mr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in connection with the proposed National education Policy 2019.
In the memorandum the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) is of the opinion that framing of policies and rules by centrally constituted bodies whereby States are bound only for implementation is against the spirit of the Federal Structure of the Nation.
Such a manoeuvre will not serve the very purpose of educational equity amongst different states owing to the wide disparity in terms of educational progress and aspirations.
Therefore, the Union opines that although rules and policies will be framed by the Central Bodies, yet the States should be endowed with the option of deciding their own roadmaps for the better interests of the students’ community in that particular state.
The Union does not accept the idea of promoting the Hindi language and reduced the importance of the English language. India is a multi-diverse country with a plethora of spoken and written languages belonging to different branches such as Indo-Aryan,Dravidian, Austro-Asiatic, Tibeto-Burman, etc.
However, more emphasis should instead be given to native languages in home regions at par with both English and Hindi. Furthermore, no particular language should be made compulsory in the entire country.
In view of the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), the KSU proposed that a state-based GER would be better suited for the overall educational development instead of a nation-wide single GER. Enrolment procedures vary from one state to another in terms of rural-urban division, development, population, area, educational advancement, etc.Therefore, a state specific GER with a specific financial allocation will serve the purpose of the policy.
Imparting education is an uphill task especially for the marginalised sections of the society.Thus, the extension of pre-primary schooling to three years will result in a one year plus for completion of school education, which the Union feel that it will be a burden for a state of Meghalaya with a relatively high Human Poverty Index (HPI).
In view of the diversity of the country, the KSU would like to suggests that the policy should stressed on the aspects of regionalism such as the distinct history, culture, language, habits, customs, etc. the KSU would like to mention that the history, culture, language, freedom fighters, etc. of the Khasi community is poorly represented in the schools’ curriculum.
The Union urges your good office that the diverse socio-economic condition should also be precisely taken into account so as to reduce the already widening gap between the rich and the poor. the KSU feels that more time should be given to the public for further deliberations and suggestions on the Draft Education Policy. Also various stakeholders including the state governments should also be engaged for the finalisation of this much needed.
The KSU is an organisation operating in the states and regions with a substantial Khasi population with its headquarters in Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya. The major objectives outline in the constitution of the Union is to foster brotherhood and unity amongst the Khasi people and to uplift the educational, economical, socio-political and cultural standards of the community.
In view of the current draft National Education Policy, the KSU is of the view that the policy is prepared arbitrarily without taking into account the prospects of the state of Meghalaya which is still lagging behind in terms of educational elevation.
Therefore, the Union is sending this representation seeking consideration, attention and justification to the aspirations of the people of Meghalaya. The Memorandum was sign by the president Mr Lambok S Marngar and Readyon Stone Nongrum Education Secretary of the Union.
