Sona call for addressing misconceptions in education reforms

CHINTAN SHIVIR

LIKABALI, Nov 09: Education minister Passang Dorjee Sona on Saturday underscored the importance of clearing misconceptions and fine-tuning strategies for the state’s educational reforms during his visit to Likabali in Lower Siang district.

The visit was part of the follow-up initiatives arising from the Chintan Shivir-cum Education Conclave held in Itanagar in August.

Sona emphasized that the follow-up interaction meeting aimed at addressing local concerns and preparing a clear roadmap to formulate the state’s education policy.

"The purpose is to gear up the initiatives being undertaken, resolve any misgivings among the public, and ensure that a comprehensive database is created for the policy's final shape," he said.

Addressing local apprehensions about the closure of schools with low enrollment, the minister reassured the public that merging small schools into larger institutions with better facilities and resources would ultimately benefit students.

"The advantages our children will reap will be something they will rejoice about in the future," he said.

Sona attributed the challenges in the state's education system to poor management and emphasized the need for a "robust and scientifically planned curriculum" at the elementary education level.

He stressed that the state's education system must evolve to meet the demands of contemporary needs.

During his overnight stay in Likabali, Sona visited local schools and interacted with teachers, highlighting the crucial role educators play in implementing the government's educational reforms.

"The success of our initiatives depends on the commitment of teachers at the ground level. While the government can provide resources and infrastructure, teachers' contributions are vital in achieving the set goals," he said.

Sona also shared his vision for a practical roadmap to revamp the state's education system, acknowledging that the public may resist the changes at first.

"The task is difficult, and people may not appreciate it initially, but the benefits will far outweigh their attachment to the old system," he explained.

He elaborated on the significance of the Chintan Shivir, where inputs from elected members, CBOs, NGOs, student unions, and educationists helped shape a comprehensive education policy.

"This initiative is a holistic approach to rationalizing school infrastructure and engaging manpower. Schools that will be merged or closed will continue to provide pre-primary education and serve as centers for future expansion," he said.

Education secretary Duly Kamduk also addressed the concerns of local residents, reassuring them that the new inter-village schools would be equipped with top-tier facilities, including hostels for students, teachers' quarters, and modern infrastructure. "The results will be truly remarkable in the coming years," he assured.

Lower Siang deputy commissioner Rujjum Rakshap welcomed the government's initiative, emphasizing the positive impact of better road connectivity, which has helped eliminate previous barriers to school mergers.

"Running schools with minimal students and few teachers often harms both students' and teachers' careers, but these changes will provide much-needed support for both," he said.

District education secretary Marte Koyu presented the district's roadmap for implementing the initiatives and assured the ministers that the report would be compiled with inputs from local leaders, student unions, and other stakeholders.

The visit concluded with various community leaders, including Galo Welfare Society president Sengo Taipodia, Gensi ZPM Dapu Doke and his Koyu counterpart Tagom Padu voicing their support for the government’s efforts to reform the educational landscape and reinforcing their commitment to the initiative.