TURA:
What started with humble beginnings in borrowed premises of a government school in Tura, three decades ago, has now transformed into a full-fledged college that has witnessed thousands pass out through its doors in flying colors as Durama college of Tura celebrated its 30th foundation day on Friday at its permanent campus in Megonggre, Rongkhon in the presence of Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma and Meghalaya Assembly speaker Thomas A Sangma.
There was good news for the college as both guests, education minister and speaker, informed the large gathering that the Conrad K Sangma government was positively looking into granting it a Community People’s College status at the earliest.
“During discussion with the chief minister and education minister, they told me that they have decided to positively consider granting the status of Community People’s college for Durama,” said speaker Thomas Sangma.
The college has also taken into implementing the National Education Policy or NEP 2020 for which Education Minister Rakkam Sangma lauded the management terming it a “future ready” policy for students.
“Under the new Education policy (NEP) multi-disciplinary courses will be available for students and Durama College will also need to have this course in the near future. In the earlier policy, a student’s ambition in life was tailor made by the college, and not by the student himself. But in the new NEP, every individual will get the opportunity to choose his own career,” said Rakkam.
The education minister pointed out the age-old fear of mathematics among a large section of students that made them turn away from taking up science despite being proficient in other streams of science.
“Today the scenario has completely changed under NEP. You can do biology or botany with Honours, and instead of having to take Maths one can choose a vast array of subjects ranging from philosophy, economics and others,” said the education minister as he visualised that NEP will help young minds to chalk out careers and entrepreneurships instead of depending solely on government jobs.
Durama College started as a morning college in 1993 from the borrowed premises of the Government Girls High School in Ringrey, as an educational initiative by senior citizens of Tura.
It was the go-to college for many young working parents and students alike and with nominal fees drew many from far and wide.
It’s founding fathers included renowned educationist and former MBOSE Secretary I K Sangma and former MPSC member Late Fridina K Marak who helped shape and mould the college.
Today its alumni include a multitude of past pupils who have excelled in various fields including education and government administration.
The college shifted to its permanent campus in 2009.
Having implemented the NEP 2020, it has been trying to cope with the directives of NEHU and is planning to open a Science and Commerce stream at the graduation level.
while addressing the gathering, Principal Krittarson N Sangma expressed gratitude to the teachers and students and to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for extending the benefits of the 5th Pay Commission to adhoc colleges like Durama College.