Govt to decide on ‘Mathematics’ as compulsory subject

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 27: The state government will soon take a call on
whether to make mathematics a compulsory subject in school education.

This decision was taken after a majority expressed the need to make mathematics as a compulsory subject during a meeting convened by the state education minister Rakkam A Sangma and Principals of over 30-40 secondary and higher secondary schools at the Secretariat today.

Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that many of the principals have raised concerns on the learning outcome and they have suggested the change of some textbooks to bring them at par with the national standard.

“Many are of the opinion to make mathematics compulsory but as of now, the government is yet to decide on this. We will examine the opinions and suggestions made by the principals,” he said while adding “I also personally feel and many academicians and principals also suggested that mathematics should not be made an optional paper as of now it is best of five out of six (subjects). Therefore, the government will take a decision in due process.”

The education minister said that 90 per cent of the students would opt out of mathematics.

“If we allow it, everybody wants to be in an easy and comfortable
zone. To me personally, if we allow mathematics to be an optional
paper, many students will opt out of it, that is for certain and that
is for sure but today at this generation, going for higher studies
without mathematics is something that is not appreciable but I think we are second to nobody, we can prepare well, we have the same brain with the rest of the globe and I think it is some we should decide and review,” he said.

Sangma further informed that the department has asked the Directorate of Educational Research and Training (DERT) to do research on the performance of the students before making mathematics an optional paper.

“(We want to know) how many students performed well in mathematics (before making it optional) and how many students have opted out of mathematics. All these we will get the data and we have requested the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) and DERT to give us detailed data so that we can better information and better understanding on this matter,” he said.

Further, the minister informed that the principals attending the
meeting also pointed out that the present existing textbooks are too lengthy, many things to read and so the learning outcome is very less.

In this regard, the textbook revision committee will be sitting on
October 31 to discuss the issue.

He said the DERT will also submit its recommendations and proposals before the committee.

“The DERT has been doing the exercise for the last six or seven
months. They are consulting the experts, academicians and students, so we will see what they will recommend,” Sangma said while adding that the DERT will present comparative studies being carried out and its recommendations.

AIM against gambling in melas

The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.

Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.

NE Cancer Hospital patients get a massive scare

Residents of Mawsmai (11 Mile area), Jorabat and patients of the North East Cancer Hospital escaped injuries after a transformer located in front of the entrance to the hospital burst into flame today.

Fortunately, quick thinking and action by the residents who quickly doused the flames prevented any injuries.

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained by the filing of this report. The incident occurred at around 12:30 AM just outside the campus of the North East Cancer Hospital within the Jorabat Police Outpost.

Those who witnessed the sudden blaze immediately informed the fire station in Guwahati whose personnel rushed to the spot to take control of the situation and after a few hours of continuous efforts by the firefighters, the blaze was doused.