SHILLONG, April 29: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma is likely to take up the issue of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) with the Ministry of Education during his visit to New Delhi on Monday.
Disclosing this on Friday, Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said, “We should not take anything for granted. It is not a question of only exemption. I hope the Chief Minister on Monday… will be able to place whatever concerns the state government has to the central government to ensure that it eases the problem of students.”
Stating that the problem arising out of CUET is real, he said, “We are taking into account all the issues and the CM will, hopefully, be able to communicate everything to the Ministry of Education.”
Talking about his meeting with the members of various student bodies and pressure groups, he said he stated Meghalaya is a unique state which has only one central university where all the general colleges are affiliated to NEHU. So, there is no other choice now except admission through the scores which the students will get in CUET, he added.
“I have explained the steps taken by the government, NEHU and different colleges to sensitize the principals of higher secondary schools and be the facilitator to help the students wherever they can so that the students can apply and appear in these tests,” Rymbui said.
Acknowledging that there are apprehensions about lack of computer-based testing centres in the state, he said when the state’s Additional Chief Secretary of Education had met the officials from the Centre earlier this month, they were assured that the testing centres will be set up in all districts.
On the concerns about students from rural Meghalaya not having a clear picture about CUET, he said he has explained to the college principals and they are doing their best to reach out to the last mile so that the students will not miss the opportunity to apply for CUET.
Stating that the various groups have also expressed concern on whether the test is being conducted as per the NCERT text, he said the student organisations and the pressure groups have expressed their opinion on all such issues concerning students. He said the government has tried and will continue to address the concerns in whichever way possible in this situation.
Data on condition of govt schools sought
‘The state government has sought a report on the physical conditions of all state-run schools and the process for data collection in on.
Rymbui said there are many government schools which are in a very bad shape. He recalled that additional classrooms for more than 150 schools were constructed after funds were sanctioned by the CM in 2018-2019.
Also recalling that he had in the last Assembly session told the house that all government schools, which need renovation, would be taken care of, he said, “We are collecting the data to ensure that these schools are fit for the students.”
“We are looking at the macro details of the schools in the state,” he added.
On the concerns raised by the KSU about the condition of six schools under Ranikor and Mawsynram blocks, Rymbui said, “I have directed the department and sought a report.”
He added: “The report will be submitted very soon as we do not want the students to lose out on education due to unavailability of physical infrastructure.”
