At a time when the State Government has been trying to boost skill development in Assam, the sorry state of affairs of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Bhergaon in Udalguri district reflects different picture of such vocational training centres.
Anyone visiting the institute is bound to be appalled by its lack of basic infrastructural requirements ranging from potable drinking water facilities, defunct generator to the need of hostel to accommodate the students of far-flung places.
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“It has become redundant with outdated skills being provided to aspiring candidates who have no choice but to join the Government institution,” said Uttam Chandra Das, an instructor.
Das added, “Ever since the inception of this institute in 1986, there have been only four trades – Plumber, Electrician, Motor Mechanical Vehicle and Computer Operator & Programming Assistant (COPA) and no step has been taken for expansion.”
The institute has an intake capacity of 84 which equals to 21 students per trade.
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The institute, which has 19 instructors, also doesn’t have a full-time superintendent. The Mazbat ITI superintendent, Banesh Bodo, has been given additional charge of the institute.
The students and instructors are of the opinion that trades like sewing and cutting ,wielding, make-up artist which have large self-employment opportunities should be introduced in greater interest of students’ community.
“The institute even doesn’t get sanctioned fuels like petrol and diesel for practical demonstration of vehicles owing to which the students need to fetch it,” said a student on condition of anonymity.
It may be mentioned that the media had several times drawn the attention of the Government to the pathetic condition of the ITI which has literally been left to go to seed.