SHILLONG: The State Government has sought for additional support from the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) to encourage students from Meghalaya to clear the entrance examination (JEE) to enable themselves to seek admissions into the prestigious National Institutes of Technology (NITs).
Concerned over the failure of the students from the State to make the final cut for admissions in the NITs despite the State having a quota, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma met Union Secretary for Higher Education from the MHRD, Ashok Thakur, on Saturday evening at the former’s residence.
The Chief Minister lamented that despite the State having an allocated share of seats in the NITs, none of these seats have been filled by students from Meghalaya because they lack the ‘edge’ to excel in the JEE.
Pointing out that the youths of the State were quite talented, Dr. Sangma said that they needed support from the government to enhance their learning capabilities to be able to crack such examinations.
Dr. Sangma also held the view that there was a need to make the CM’s career counseling and guidance programme more effective for the greater good of the youths.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister informed that the issue was deliberated at length with the Union Secretary to find ways and means to assist the prospective candidates in achieving their goals.
Dr. Sangma also took up the matter regarding early completion of the permanent campuses of the RGIIM and NIT Sohra, with the Union Secretary, and assured all support from the State Government for timely completion of the projects.
The Chief Minister also wanted more Navodaya Vidyalayas to be set up in the State for the benefit of students from underprivileged background.
Meanwhile, sources informed that the Union Secretary was very positive in his response to the State Government’s requests and suggestions, and that necessary instructions have already been issued to the MHRD to implement the same.