Edu hub in the making

MANAS R BANNERJEE, SNS: With big names in the education industry in the country Fast setting up base here, and school buildings with infrastructure and facilities never witnessed before becoming the order of the day in schools, the competition in the education sector in north Bengal is getting tougher by the day.

Moreover, the plains seem to have now taken over the Hills when it comes to imparting quality education to students and their parents who look for the best, both in terms of education and money.

The already ailing education scenario in the Hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong lost further ground due to the recent statehood agitation that ran for well over three months. The repercussions were massive, with many parents withdrawing their children from schools bathe and shifting them to the plains. The unstable political situation in the Hills over the past over three decades has taken a toll on the education industry that boasts of a glorious history.

The turmoil there, the instability lack of development in other sectors, have all contributed to many of the top schools now struggling to survive. In such a scenario, educational institutions in the plains, especially Siliguri, in north Bengal, have flourished, and many new brands are joining the market every year. The cutthroat competition is an open book, as parents often fall in dilemma when it comes to choosing the best for their children.

This 'education special' seeks to help and guide such parents and guardians who are still not decided on the perfect institution for their wards, while students on the verge pursuing higher studies can also have a good idea about what their area has to offer them.

Siliguri, fast growing education hub

According to Principal of Surya Sen College in Siliguri, PK Mishra, Siliguri its the gateway not only to Northeast India, but also Nepal and Bhutan. The cosmopolitan nature of its population, having educational institutions of national and international standard, will definitely see the town grow further as the new educational hub of West Bengal," he says.

On the overall education scenario in north Bengal,Vice Chancellor of North Bengal University, Dr Subiresh Bhattacharya says everybody does not have the financial capacity to pursue higher studies. "The present state government has taken initiatives and it plans to make Siliguri an educational hub, to cater to the entire northeastern region,' he says.

"I welcome the state government's decision because many students are now pursuing higher education after many universities were set up in the state after CM Mamata Banerjee really comprehended that education is the only way to salvation," he adds. Describing Siliguri and its prospects as another educational hub after the "traditional" Darjeeling Hills, Dr Bhattacharya says that Siliguri, already a business hub, is growing fast as an educational hub.

Communication is an important factor and Siliguri is a place which is well connected with other states and even other countries If more proper arrangements and facilities for higher education are made, people of this region will definitely prefer Siliguri for their education needs," Dr Bhattacharya says, adding, "Educational institutions in the Hills remain closed for three months due to the winter. Education is a continuous process and it cannot stop for a certain period. As a result persons interested in education will prefer to select a place where there is 

a good environment, so that they can run  educational institutions throughout the year for the students."

Considering these factors Siliguri is a greater place for setting up an educational hub. If the university of North Bengal must help we are all ready", he says.

"The most important thing is discipline, in an educational institution for educating the pupils properly. Where there is discipline, there is good education. Missionary institution where my son and daughter studied, maintain great discipline for better education. A disciplined student can perform better than an undisciplined one," the VC, says.

"Higher education must take due and concerted care of both equity and quality if the graduates are to survive in the world of work, " says former

NBU Registrar Tapas Kumar Chatterjee. ' Unfortunately, the benchmark of quality and its assurance are severely compromised in colleges and universities in West Bengal, barring a few exceptions. It is hardly academic to open new institutions with poor infra structure. Populism and factors dissociated with education are calling the shots in governance of higher education in West Bengal. It is going to be yet another tragedy for the youth." he says.