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BD Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, December 7
Technical education in the Kumaon region is suffering due to lack of teachers, equipment and space in government technical educational institutions. Schools and colleges in the region are already grappling with similar problems. Students of some polytechnic colleges opened recently and their guardians have complained about the shortage of teachers and equipment.
At Baram marketplace in Munsiyari subdivision, people are resenting lack of teachers and equipment at the polytechnic college opened this session. “Fifteen students took admission to various trades in the polytechnic college opened recently but they are being advised to go to Lohaghat polytechnic college to complete their courses,” said Padam Singh, a resident of Baram.
According to locals, the advice to students to go to Lohaghat polytechnic college, which is 141 km away, shows that the state government is not serious about technical education in hill areas. “Students and their guardians, who wanted a technical institution for their wards near their area, are upset as they cannot bear the cost of sending them to Lohaghat polytechnic for further study,” said concerned parents.
A similar situation prevailed in Moonakot polytechnic college in Pithoragarh. Students today held a protest against the shortage of teachers and space in the institute. “All 126 students went on a strike in protest against lack of space, teachers and equipment,” said a student who took part in the demonstration in front of the District Magistrate’s office today.
The students said though examinations were round the corner, there were no teachers to teach them and they were being sent to other polytechnic colleges for practical work. “We have also appealed to the District Magistrate to help us in getting the AICTE recognition as without it our future will be ruined,” said Rohit Pandey, a student.
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