[dropcap]P[/dropcap]arliamentary Secretary for Higher Education, Deo Nukhu, has appealed to all principals of colleges in the State to move for early recognition from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NACC) as per the policy of Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) and University Grants Commission (UGC). This would enable institutions to know its strengths, weaknesses and availability and opportunities relating to compliance and quality parameters. This would in turn foster innovation and adoption and encourage interactions among the institutions.Nukhu was right when he said that both government and private colleges are equally important in the context of education. The main difference being that students of lower income groups tend to go for government colleges while others go for private colleges or specialized colleges that cater to particular professions. After all, higher education of whatever particular subject(s) it deals with, the basics at the bottom are essentially the same. The difference between higher education and combined elementary and high school or higher secondary schools is that any education must sprout from the grassroots level. Only when the latter are passed through successfully, then only the students can go for their line of choice.
Perhaps, the British people still retain their talent for saying the opposite while actually meaning something else. Those youngsters from upper and wealthier classes in the United Kingdom attend private schools which are in fact called “Public Schools.” At least back home, we do not have that confusion.
Nagaland and Manipur Governor, Dr Ashwani Kumar, has said on various occasions that our State has produced many educated youngsters with a large number of degree holders also. His observation, nevertheless, was that perhaps we still lack in quality as compared to quantity. And rightly so. There is much overhauling required for our educational system right from the ground.
Assuming that the basic education is perked up with a measure of better quality then what the Parliamentary Secretary has urged about reaching at par with the policy of the HRD Ministry would have more substance. One point to note here is that Nukhu got the higher education portfolio but why technical education–which technically is also a higher education—had to be separated. Of course, the powers that be perhaps have their own valid reasons.
Be that as it may, colleges whether dealing with the arts, science or technical, should do well to take up the appeal to opt for the benefits of the UGC grants for development or else they may even lose them without getting them in the very first place. Once our higher education institutions manage these benefits, they can eventually be at par with most advanced countries with the main aim of motivating and ensuring quality in higher education.
Another of the Parliamentary Secretary’s agenda is the introduction of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) which he believes would advance higher education in Nagaland at a faster pace while at the same time, enhance the existing ratio. No matter whatever the direction of education that beckons, be it arts, science or technical, all are now benefited by the overall technological advance that the world is currently blessed with. For instance, a computer is also used by even an arts student—and so on.
Nevertheless, merely being fluent in English or any other relevant language does not really suffice. There have been numerous instances when persons with high degrees of education have not been well behaved. By contrast, an illiterate villager generally has better manners like extending hospitality and all the courtesies that go with it.
As such, there must be a balance between these two qualities. It is not only what one knows that is important; rather, it is how you practice it in every day life. Abraham Lincoln attended school in bits and pieces totaling not more than nine months in all. However, he had a mother who possessed only three books. These were the King James Version of the Bible, Pilgrim’s Progress and Aesop’s Fables. With the knowledge, and wisdom acquired from these, he went on to become the 16th President of the United States and brought about emancipation of the Blacks from slavery.
Like this, there are many examples. However, the underlying factor is that any civilization develops through the wisdom and farsightedness of progressive men, the love and cooperation of women and a reasonably good and balanced education. Therefore, we are fortunate that we live in an age with so many facilities and options. It would be a loss not to pursue the inherent benefits that are available for the quest.
