The Scotland of India, the most civilized city of North-East Shillong has had a low profile in last couple of years in terms of quality education. The Britisher’s paradise, which was much in limelight in English education, once upon a time, could only develop North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) initially after independence. But the educational hub was stand still there after for long, due to the absence of viable education policy & centre’s back-up. Apart from that due to emergence of insurgency in some parts and a bit discrimination took the toll.
In the past, the city was a favoured destination for innumerable students across the country & outside as well. But with the decline in quality, militancy in neighbouring states, group clashes and lack of safety & security, brought drastic drop in the number of students coming from outside. But it seems, the knowledge city once again rising after learning from its own mistakes. The state govt. is also reviving the present education policy having formed a high power committee to bring back the lost glory.
The proposed committee shall take –up the task of framing comprehensive education policy by involving renowned academicians and also shall incorporate suggestions of the public in general. The state govt. is also highly encouraged by the Centre’s initiative of establishing world class institutions like Indian Institute of Management (IIM) & National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Shillong, which was a bone of contention and the state was in logger head with Assam for quite some time to bring these institutions to its fold.
Shillong was a knowledge city of the world & now it is going to become a city of wisdom by its collective endeavour of promoting higher & professional education in a big way. Though, it has number of private educational institutions, it lacks in a comprehensive controlling mechanism for imparting quality education. With state govt. present attention; the state may devise a befitting policy soon. Apart from that already positive steps have been taken by the govt. to provide safety & security to outside students. With all these happenings, may we expect that the lost city of knowledge shall become a glorious city of wisdom.
