SHILLONG: The state government, which has made education its top priority, is keen to encourage private investment in the sector but will not let institutes go unregulated.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui recently told media persons in the city that it was important to have private investment in the sector.
When asked about some private institutes and schools charging exorbitant fees, the minister said the government would look into it but admitted that private ventures needed to sustain themselves in the long run. “We will study case by case,” he said.
Rymbui made it clear that the government would promote investment in the sector but not without regulating private institutes.
When asked about any proposal from potential investors, the minister answered in negative.
The minister, while replying to a query, said the government has readied the draft education policy and was awaiting suggestions from stakeholders. He reiterated that the policy would be ready in six months.
When reporters drew his attention to the poor infrastructure in rural schools and colleges, Rymbui said the government “requires fund and most of the budget is spent on the salary of teachers”.
“We will try to capture resources so that we can have good infrastructure with quality education,” he added.
The minister informed that Shillong Engineering College will be ready in two years.