STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Raijor Dal (RD) has opposed the University Grant Commission's (UGC) direction to universities and colleges to introduce Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) where 40 per cent of the curriculum will be covered in online mode.
The RD has argued that online courses cannot be matched with offline courses.
"Scores of teachers will lose their jobs if online courses start. No matter how much the government talks about the excess equity and quality, by introducing online mode of education, it is conspiring to close the doors of employment for the students. It is trying to make the corporate houses richer," said RD adviser Dr Sitanath Lahkar while addressing the media here on Friday.
The newly floated party appealed to the intellectuals, students and teachers to oppose the UGC's decision.
Further, Lahkar took a jibe at Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's statement that toll gates will be closed within a year.
"Minister Gadkari during an election campaign in Assam on March 18 stated that within a year toll gates will be closed. However, the prices of toll have been increased by Rs 35 to Rs 90 from April 1. Meanwhile, the prices of essential commodities are already burning pockets of the people. Additionally, the Centre has given a nod to increase prices of medicines," Lahkar underlined.
The party demanded the government to stop such 'anti-public' policies.
Lastly, the party who has not fielded any candidate in Sorbhog, appealed to its party workers to support CPM candidate Manoranjan Talukdar.
"With an aim to root out the Saffron party, RD party workers should support Mahajoot candidate Manoranjan Talukdar whole heartedly," Lahkar added.
It is to be mentioned that the decision to support Talukdar was taken during an executive president body meeting of the party held on Friday.
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