SHILLONG, SEPT 5: Meghalaya minister in-charge of School Education & Literacy Deborah Marak on Monday pledged to take
up the challenge of restoring the lost glory of Shillong, which was once popularly known as an educational hub.
“I promise I will take it as a challenge. Let us bring back that glory let us make Shillong, an educational hub again,” Marak said while appealing to the teachers to take their jobs as a challenge to achieve this goal.
The minister who recently took over charge of the education department was addressing at an official function organized to mark the 55th Teacher’s Day celebration held at U Soso Tham Auditorium.. According to her, the state needs to revisit the past and find out the reasons as to why the educational hub tag have been hijacked by other states.
“We need to find out where we have gone wrong and why nobody wants to come and study in our state . Is it is because the education system is going down or is it because of the teachers or officials,” she said.
The minister also informed that there many things which have been planned to streamline the department adding that this can be achieved only with the cooperation of all concerns.
Agreeing that there is a strong need to reconstruct the educational system especially one that includes teacher’s welfare, Marak said, “I know your (teachers) problems and the problem is chronic. We have diagnosed and will give medicine but it will take time to heal.”
Lauding the department for working tirelessly to integrate the many demands towards development of education in the state, she said, “I can assure you that the department is working tirelessly round the clock to balance the needs of the teachers.”
She also emphasized the need to upgrade the teaching profession equivalent to technical professional with an argument that teachers are dealing with young vulnerable minds that if left to an untrained hands can lead to destruction of not only their future but the future of this country.
Further, the minister also informed that the state government is making an effort to introduce Information Communication Technology (ICT) in all the schools to enhance teaching learning with the help of technology.
“This is a wonderful initiative for modern education, however let it be known that the ICT is not a replacement to a good human being – the teacher. It is only in a skillful and competent teacher that the benefit of technology could be accomplished,” she asserted.
Later, the minister also presented the State Award, District Award and Special Award to over 20 teachers from different districts of the state as a mark of recognition for their selfless dedication and services.
Earlier in his speech, Commissioner and Secretary in-charge Education DP Wahlang said that information is power and it is easily available in this present digital world but knowledge and learning is lacking.
Stating that innovation is the name of the game, he said that it is important for the teachers to update their teaching skills adding they should not end only with classroom teachings but inculcate life lesson to the students.-By Our Reporter
It would be a great blessing for the state of Meghalaya if the present Education Minister makes it realistic by going deep into the loopholes of the Department. The Department was previously at the hands of two doctorate ministers consecutively. Keep it madam Deborah Marak.