SHILLONG, Dec 26: A delegation from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Meghalaya, led by its national secretary Kamlesh Singh, called on Governor CH Vijayasankhar to discuss issues affecting the state’s education system. The delegation included ABVP’s state president Dr Sachankutlang Khongthothrem, state vice president Dr Salony Bareh, central working committee member Nibiang Sumer, and North East Council members Darilin Tang and Bomsing Khongtir.
During the meeting, the delegation presented a memorandum outlining five pressing concerns. They highlighted the inadequate infrastructure in educational institutions, especially in rural areas, where students often struggle to access schools. Despite fifty years of statehood, many districts still lack government undergraduate colleges, leaving students with no option but to relocate to cities and bear the high cost of private education or drop out altogether.
The absence of government postgraduate colleges was also highlighted, along with concerns about the readiness of the upcoming state university, set to commence operations in 2025, to cater to the needs of local students.
The delegation also raised the issue of delays in the distribution of scholarships under the Umbrella Scholarship Scheme, which has left many tribal students unable to continue their education due to financial constraints. Additionally, the lack of adequate teacher recruitment was cited as a major problem, with the delegation noting that the teacher-student ratio remains alarmingly low across all levels of education, adversely affecting learning outcomes.
Concerns were also raised regarding teacher training. The delegation attributed high dropout rates at the secondary and higher secondary levels to the lack of professional qualifications among educators and insufficient training programmes. They advocated for mandatory certifications such as Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) to improve teaching quality and student engagement.
Furthermore, the delegation drew attention to the untimely disbursement of salaries for government school teachers, which often disrupts educational activities. They also urged the government to revise primary teachers’ salary structures to ensure fair compensation and a decent standard of living for educators.
The Governor assured the delegation that their concerns would be taken up with the appropriate authorities and pledged his support for improving the state’s educational landscape. The ABVP delegation expressed optimism that their efforts would lead to meaningful reforms in Meghalaya’s education system, ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students.
