By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The city has been witness to the mushrooming of private universities and institutes which make tall claims and promises by offering a wide range of courses for the students and other career aspirants.
But in reality, most of these self-proclaimed top-ranked institutes and universities are operating from small rooms and chambers taken on rent or lease basis across the city.
These universities/institutes lack basic infrastructure facilities like laboratories and other equipment to impart quality education to the students of the State and other parts of the north-eastern region.
Recently, when a student from Assam visited one of these institutes to get herself admitted into the BCA course, she was shocked to find the dismal condition of the institute which brings out paid advertisements in newspapers and local channels wherein they claim to provide good and bright career for students with all state-of-the-art facilities.
“I was impressed by the advertisements but now that I have visited the institutes, I am in a state of shock,” the candidate added.
Education Minister RC Laloo, on his part said there were provisions whereby the Government could derecognize such institutes if they were found lacking in any manner.
When contacted, former Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said every institution which is accorded recognition by the State legislation is given a five-year term to improve their infrastructures.
It may be mentioned that these private educational institutions which have sprung up in the recent past in the State have been catering mainly to students from Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides some local students.