By: Dr. Dakter Esse (Deputy Editor-North East cum Bureau Chief-ICN Arunachal Pradesh)
ITANAGAR:The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu outlining the findings of its ‘Education & Health 2017-17’ survey for the State government to consider and act upon.
The memorandum signed by AAPSU President Hawa Bagang and General Secretary Tobom Dai said the idea behind the survey conducted in September last year was to get data on and assess the quality of educational and health institutions in the State.
This survey involved members of the AAPSU and district students’ unions with active participation of all stakeholders. On February 17, a meeting with DSUs, community-based and institution-based students’ unions such as Rajiv Gandhi University Students’ Union, Students’ Union of NERIST, Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars’ Forum (RGURSF) and Students’ Union Himalayan University for elaborative deliberations on the survey report.
The memorandum outlined the following pointers received on the basis of the survey report:
* 2,500 subject teachers required, especially for maths and science
* Only 20% schools have library and laboratory
* 40% schools do not have sanitation facilities
* Insufficient desks and benches
* Insufficient and irregular supply of books to government schools
* 48% schools do not have boundary walls
* 80% schools do not possess LPC
* Most of the primary schools have single teacher
* 53% schools do not have drinking water supply
* 80% schools do not have computer facility
* Upgraded general hospitals are in bad shape
* 80% of public libraries are almost non-functional
The AAPSU, in the memorandum, said it has taken serious view of the prevalent conditions with regards to the education and health sectors in the State. It put forth a few suggestions as under:
One-time grant for renovation of existing institutes: It has become clear from the survey report and physical visits that most of the educational and health institutes in the State are in a shambles and complete state of neglect. There are places where schools are running from makeshift structures while in many places the institutes are on verge of collapse endangering the lives of the students and teachers there. Even in urban areas like the Capital Complex and district headquarters, members have come across institutions in pathetic condition. As such, the union would urge for allocation of one-time grant for renovation of existing health and educational institutions in the State. The fund, if allocated, should cover all aspects in improving the standards of these institutes which will include proper classrooms, teachers’ quarters, boundary walls, libraries, playgrounds, toilets, drinking water facilities, medical equipments, staff quarters, store rooms, nurses and doctors’ quarters, etc.
One-time allocation for establishing Arunachal University, Pasighat: The surveyors came across the lack of required attention towards the lone State university functioning from the JNC, Pasighat campus since its very inception. The institution is sadly yet to acquire the status of a “university” in actual sense of the term. Every year, paltry sum is allocated for its upkeep which is not sufficient to sustain a State university in the long run. There is an urgent need on part of the State Government to mitigate the crisis unfolding in AU, Pasighat. We strongly demand for a one time budgetary allocation for establishment of a full-fledged AU which shall encompass all aspects of its infrastructural requirements, teaching faculties, staffs, university officers, etc.
Regular allocation of funds for textbooks: Survey reports have indicated the students are suffering due to absence of textbooks in the schools run by the government. There should be adequate allotments of funds for procurement and supply of textbooks. Further, it has been witnessed that even if funds are provided for textbooks, they are not released on time making it impossible to deliver the books before the onset of academic session. Necessary initiatives need to be undertaken and corrective measures are to be adopted. The State government should not only make regular fund provision for procurement and supply of textbooks but it should also specifically stress on timely delivery of the books i.e before the start of the academic session. Further, purchase of non-relevant books should be avoided.
Special provision for covering LPC and land allotment charges: Most of the educational and health institutions have been illegally encroached upon by unscrupulous elements. This problem has become so rampant that very few of these schools or health centres are free from these encumbrances. It was also found that almost all of these education and health institutes were bereft of legalised land possession certificates which makes it very much difficult to free the land from encroachers. Therefore, we would strongly urge for special one-time budgetary allotment and strong directive by the government for proper demarcation, verification as well as LPC and land allotment of all the health and educational institutions in the State. This fund provision should also include special funds to be allotted to the deputy commissioners in their respective districts for carrying out eviction drives in the schools and health centres.
Closure of all non-functional schools and sanctioning of all upgraded schools: The union members came across schools where the student enrolment has been almost nil or few for many years. Funds are regularly being sanctioned for upkeep of such schools despite no students being enrolled. The State government should take serious note of it and immediately close down such schools after thorough scrutiny to prevent wastage of public money. Those schools whereby students enrolment is in single digit may also be considered for closure and the existing teachers including the students should be shifted to nearby schools. There are many schools that are yet to be sanctioned even after upgrade, owing to which schools are compelled to function without adequate funds and staff, hampering the academic career of the students. Therefore, it is need of the hour that the State government should give due importance and allocate adequate funds in all the schools.
Budget for teaching, non-teaching faculties, nurses, doctors, medicines, etc: Almost all the government colleges including the ones to be made functional from the current academic session onwards are functioning with acute shortage of teaching faculties and ministerial staff, which is seriously affecting some 15,000 college-going students. The district hospitals at Tezu, Bomdila, Pasighat, Aalo and Ziro, which were turned into general hospitals are also functioning without the requisite number of specialist doctors, heath staff, medicines, life saving equipments, etc. Survey reports have indicated their dismal performance and sorry state of affairs. The survey report was also corroborated with the Indian Public Health Standard norms which also presented a sad picture. As such, budget allocation should be earnestly made for creation of teaching and non-teaching faculties in the government colleges, teachers and other ministerial staff in upgraded schools and doctors and other support staff in general hospitals and health centres.
Moratorium on creating new facilities without sanctioning adequate posts: Over the years, the successive State governments have resorted to mindless creation of new assets as well as upgrading of existing health and educational institutes. Although these institutes are upgraded with much fanfare, seldom are these run with the requisite manpower or infrastructure. Members have come across the district hospitals at Ziro, Aalo, Tezu, etc., which were upgraded without any improvement in service delivery. The same has been witnessed with numerous schools and health centres. The budget session should have serious deliberations on this important matter and initiatives should be undertaken for putting a permanent moratorium of creation of new as well as upgrading of existing health and educational institutes without creation as well as sanction of adequate posts for the same.
Need for encouraging scholars pursuing research in the State or outside: Local research scholars from RGU, NERIST, JNU, DU, NEHU and other universities across the country have lamented the problem of ‘identity crisis” being faced by them. They have highlighted lack of support for research activities by the State government as well as lack of opportunities for scholars. Relaxation in age as well as qualifications for research scholars in teaching jobs should be given. The AAPSU would like to suggest creation of Chief Minister’s Research Fellowship in line of Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship for the local research scholars pursuing their research in the state or elsewhere in the country. However, if materialised, a strict selection mechanism should be put in place for selection of the beneficiaries under the fellowship in line with UGC.
Starting of mass communication, anthropology, sociology in government colleges: The survey came across disparities as well as lack of choices for the students who newly join colleges in the State. While the fortunate ones get the opportunity to pursue their career outside, those in the state are left with very few options. Professional disciplines like mass communication, anthropology, physical education, computer application, sociology, physical education, etc., are available to the students at PG level in the State but they are deprived of these disciplines in UG level with the exception of a few private colleges. Students who pursue these courses at PG level end up finding very little or almost no job opportunities for themselves in the State after completion of their studies. The State government should take necessary steps for starting such courses in colleges.
Chief minister’s literary initiative: Regular seminars, symposiums, debate competitions and other literary activities in schools, colleges and universities enhance the scope of learning for participating students. Literary activism among the students is at its lowest ebb among the students in the State when one compares with students of other states in the country. Survey reports have come across very few such programmes held with support of the State government. Those organised are done with private support or with that of UGC and other agencies. The State government should make immediate considerations with regards to the point put forth and initiate launching of Chief Minister’s Literary Initiative and Grants on the lines of other state level flagship programmes to support literary activities in the educational institutions in the State.
Budget for Science Stream at Donyi-Polo Government College, Kamki, JNC Pasighat, DNGC Itanagar & IGGC, Tezu: Special survey was carried out at Donyi-Polo Government College (DPGC), Kamki under West Siang and Indira Gandhi Government College (IGGC), Tezu under Lohit district. Provisions for development of science stream at DPGC was made in last year’s budget while science stream is currently being provided at IGGC along with DNGC, Itanagar & JNC, Pasighat. It is surprising to note that while funds were earmarked for introduction of science stream at DPGC, no provisions were made for creation of teaching faculties of science stream for the same. The union would also press for separate provision in the budget for creation of teaching faculties for science stream at DPGC. JNC, IGGC and DNGC are also facing acute shortages of teaching faculties in the science stream due to non-creation of adequate posts. We would also urge for making budgetary provisions for creation of the same.
Additional allowances for the teachers and doctors in remote areas: We have come across many health centres and schools in remote rural areas running without doctors and teachers. During the course of survey, we have come across many such officials who preferred urban postings for better life, opportunities and earnings. Despite regular complaints and initiation of disciplinary actions, they have not stopped neglecting their duties and responsibilities. Provision should be made for additional financial allowances to the officials and staff of both health and education departments serving in remote rural areas.
Re-launching of Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme: This scheme, discontinued to various reasons, has been very popular among the masses. With more and more people demanding better healthcare otherwise unavailable in the State, this scheme had successfully provided financial benefits to the sick, many of whom belonged to the lower economic groups in the various empanelled hospitals across the country. The State government should seriously consider re-launching and revamping the Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme.
Establishment of Government B.Ed College: After APTET (Teacher Eligibility Test) and B.Ed qualifications were made mandatory for teaching jobs, the number of students pursuing B.Ed has increased manifold. This has also led to mushrooming of private colleges offering the said degree. However, survey has found out that fee of almost all these private colleges to be highly exorbitant. There are regular complaints against the high fees taken. While it should be of the immediate concern of the State government to regulate the fees of such colleges, provisions should also be made in the budget for establishment of Government B.Ed College in the greater interest of the large number of students who intend to pursue this degree.
Budget for establishment of school for children with special needs: We have not come across any such schools established by the State government. There are a large number of regular students who are in need of special attention, care and conducive environment for enabling as well as enhancing their learning process. Some are slow in learning while others are suffering from one deformity or the other. Although funding provisions are regularly made under the SSA, implementation has always been faulty with the benefits seldom reaching the target students. The State government should make special budgetary provision for establishment of a school for children with special needs.
Fund provision for DIET (District Institute of Education and Training): The DIETs were regularly being funded under the flagship programmes of MHRD. However after 2013, funding has stopped and almost all the DIETs across the State are in utter state of neglect. These institutes have provided quality training to the teachers and have played pivotal role in improving elementary education in the state despite limited resources and funding. There is an urgent need to revive these DIETs for greater interest of the teaching as well as the student community in the State. We would strongly urge for keeping substantial funding provisions in the upcoming budget for all the DIETs in the State.
Provision for solar power in health and educational institutes: Although often termed as the powerhouse of the entire country, Arunachal Pradesh is in reality a power deficit state. The survey found most of the schools and health centres in rural areas to be running without adequate electricity or no power at all. With the launching of smart classes in government schools, power has become a requisite need for running these classes. Power shortage in health centres have also been endangering the lives of the patients. As such, we would suggest for a better and effective alternative. We strongly urge for adequate provisions in the upcoming budget for solar power in all the health and educational institutions in the State.
Budget for public library: The survey have also found that the Public library department which in the past have help in reading habits and intuitiveness among the student community is in state of utter neglect which also needs financial provision to bail out from the grave situation.
Budget for medical equipments in all health centres and hospitals: The survey came across the ever degrading conditions in number of the hospitals, health centres and other institutions in the State. Majority of the health institutions are suffering from excessive shortages of generic medicines and life-saving medical equipments like X-ray machines, CT Scan ,etc. Even surgical items in district hospitals are found in excess shortages. It has become evident that the health centres in the State and services to the needy patients are not being provided according to the standards set by Indian Public Health Standards. Huge number of the poor people who visit these health facilities are forced to venture out of the State for want of better treatment. As such, the State government should make a special provision in the upcoming Budget for procurement and supply of medical equipments for all the Health institutions in the state in one go.
Rationalisation of teachers: The survey revealed unequal distribution of teachers in the schools across the State. There are few districts having surplus teachers while most of the districts do not have adequate faculty members and is deprived owing to uneven posting policy. Hence we pray upon your good office for rationalisation of teachers before the state of this academic session.
Establishment of CBSE sub-regional branch office: The Central Board of Secondary Education regional office is located at Guwahati, Assam. The board has its sub-branches in almost all the other north eastern state but Arunachal Pradesh. Students from across the State face problems regarding issues such certificate misprint, name change, applying of migration, etc. Even to pursue such minor issues of correction, the students has to travel to Guwahati. Therefore, we look forward to your good office to expedite the process for establishment of CBSE sub-branch in our State at the earliest.
Immediate recall of teachers serving on deputation in various departments: Despite huge shortage of subject teachers there are a large number of teachers on deputation in non-teaching government jobs which is detrimental for the healthy growth of education system in the State. Such regressive policy by the subsequent state government has deeply ailed the education department and it is need of the hour to adopt corrective measures. Therefore, we look upon your good office to recall all the teachers serving in various departments on deputation.
Appointment of DDSE criteria: The appointment of DDSE should be done only to the experienced principals who have vast experience of at least of five years. No political appointment should be entertained in the process of appointment. We look forward for your good office to look into the matter.
