Sikkim to have its own education board

SNS, Gangtok, 29 October: Sikkim will have its own education board that would monitor all the private universities operating in the state if Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) comes to power in 2014, said the leader of the party, Mr P S Golay.

He also said his party would go for scrapping service extension of the bureaucrats and senior officials if it is voted to power.

‘It is unfortunate that Sikkim does not have its own education board. Sikkim University is running without a campus even after seven years since its inception. The students are in a dilemma as to whether degrees issued by the private universities, mushrooming in the state, would help them in their professional ventures,” he said, stressing on the need to monitor such universities as regards UGC recognition. 

He was interacting with the college and university students and youths associated with the party affiliate, Vidyarthi Morcha at party headquarters yesterday. He was the chief speaker at the interactive meet chaired by the party working president, Bharati Sharma and attended by students from all four districts of the state.

Private universities, Mr Golay claimed, are entering Sikkim by paying hefty commissions to the state government. He also assured early resolution of the Sikkim University land logjam if SKM government comes to power.

Slamming the Pawan Chamling government in view of the growing frustration among the educated youths, Mr Golay said SKM would not blackmail the youths and use them as electoral pawns.

"Nobody has tried to understand the aspirations of the students. They are not being taken on board while framing the state’s education policies. Now, blaming them for being jobless is irresponsible. Education should not be viewed as a profit-making ventures,” the Opposition leader said.

"We will scrap the service extension of the senior bureaucrats and officials in a week of forming the next government. Rather, the needy persons like the Grade 3 and 4 employees will be considered for extension wherever necessary,” he said.

The former three-term state minister accused the Chamling government of misleading the students, the would-be makers of the society.

“They are frustrated, as nepotism and corruption are reigning. We would not give unemployment allowances to the jobless, but provide them with ample employment opportunities,” he affirmed.