Haflong : Demanding the Introduction of a Multi – Stream facility in the Mahur Higher Secondary School, Establishment of a Degree College in Mahur, Provincialisation of all Ad –hoc High Schools under N.C. Autonomous Council, and Immediate approval of all the High Schools submitted for upgradation into Higher Secondary at Mahur in Dima Hasao,the Indigenous Students Forum and Indigenous Women Forum staged a sit in demonstration with placards at Mahur on Tuesday.

Mahur is having a single higher secondary school i.e Mahur higher secondary with 60 seats capacity. Every year over 300 applicants apply for the seats however due to lack of seats rest of the students left further studies and help their parents in cultivation works or either go outstation in search of work.

Most of the families cannot afford rent houses outside Mahur like Haflong or Maibang for further studies since Mahur region consists 90% BPL families who hardly earn their two times bread  by selling cultivation produce.

Later they submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma through the Deputy Commissioner detailing their demand and requested to consider their demands for early solution.

N C Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum has highlighted four imperatives points pertaining to the state of education in N C Hills which is very depressing in nature and exacerbating difficulties on the path of achieving desirable educational goals. The four imperatives are stated in brief as follows:

Introduction of a multi – stream facility in the Mahur Higher     Secondary School.

Mahur is a Block situated in the district of N.C. Hills having a population of about 33,859 peoples. However, it is very depressing to see that the Block has only one Higher Secondary School. Besides that it offers only Arts stream facility. As a result, those willing to pursue Science or Commerce have to go outside Mahur.

And in this regard, it is pertinent to mention herein that a significant proportion of successful students generally belong to the Socio – Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) and they are the most affected since they cannot afford to go outside Mahur to pursue their dreams due to financial constraints. As such, the absence of Science and Commerce streams continues to be a bane for the SEDGs and it is narrowing the scope of many brilliant students in their academic pursuit.

Considering the exigency the School Managing Development Committee (SMDC) of Mahur Higher Secondary School had, in the year 2013 resolved to take steps for the introduction of a multi-stream facility. Accordingly, the Committee submitted a memorandum before the Commissioner of Education, Govt. of Assam.

However, due to the obstruction from few politically motivated individuals, the Committee refrained from pursuing the matter any further. Thereafter, no such steps worth mentioning was initiated again by the Committee. (A copy of the SMC minutes & memorandum is enclosed herewith for his kind perusal). Hence, the introduction of a multi – stream facility i.e. Science and Commerce in the Mahur Higher Secondary School is the need of the hour.

Establishment of a Degree College in Mahur, N C Hills.

In addition to the above, the Mahur Degree College has a similar state of affairs. It is to be noted that land had been acquired and funds for infrastructure is being sanctioned time after time but the college is yet to see light of the day.  Nevertheless, with the passage of time the growing needs of a Degree College has increased manifold. The shortfall has a devastating effect upon the career of many students particularly the SEDGs.

And the reason is pretty clear because with more and more careers requiring advanced education, a college degree is critical to success in today’s workforce. Moreover, research has also indicated that earning a degree can have a significant and expansive impact on life.

Provincialisation of all Ad – hoc High Schools under N C Autonomous Council.

With regard to the matter of Ad – hoc High Schools in N C Hills its crucial role in imparting quality and maintaining standards of education cannot be undermined.

The list of ad-hoc high schools has been already forwarded to Dispur for approval. Therefore, in the interest of sustainable development in education and security of service to the teachers, the matter of provincialisation of all Ad – hoc High Schools be given utmost importance.

 Immediate approval for upgradation of all the High Schools into Higher Secondary submitted for the same.

While considering the status of upgradation of High Schools of N C Hills into Higher Secondary schools submitted for necessary approval from the concerned authority, it is depressing to state that the sincerity of the latter is bleak. Hence, his kind intervention in the matter is humbly sought for immediate approval of all the High Schools submitted for upgradation into Higher Secondary schools.

Therefore , having due regard to the objectives of National Education Policy 2020, it has also become an imperative to address the above stated shortfalls in the educational aspect of our district. And for that reason, an utmost priority is accorded to transform the prevailing state of secondary and higher education in N C Hills.

Moreover, above all, the earnest of your good self and your respected government to address the many growing developmental imperatives of our state is manifest, hence the same is anticipated hereof. Furthermore Sir, the fulfillment of this humble prayer will hugely benefit the youths of N C Hills. It will increase career stability and satisfaction, and the ability to make an impact on community. It will prepare them for the future to achieve their personal goals, and increase chances of employment and opportunities. Besides, it will guarantee security of service to the teachers as well.

Therefore, it is humbly prayed that he shall kindly consider the above and graciously be pleased to address the same as prayed for in the interest of N C Hills.