By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 9: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has urged the state government to enact the Meghalaya Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fee) Act to cap tuition fees and ensure affordable education for students from economically weaker backgrounds.
During a meeting with Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui at Jowai Polytechnic on Friday, the union also pressed for the expansion of evening shifts in government schools and colleges to address the perennial shortage of seats during the admission season.
The JSU delegation, led by Education Secretary Khynroo Bocheru Mi Pohsnem, pointed out that several institutions already possess the infrastructure required to run evening sections. They argued that expanding these facilities would allow more deserving students to access higher education despite the limited capacity of morning shifts.
The union’s memorandum, prepared after consultations with principals in Jaintia Hills, highlighted several critical gaps in the region’s education system. A major concern raised was the absence of a Biology teacher at the Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Jowai, which the union said is a setback for students aspiring for medical studies. The JSU demanded that all vacant sanctioned teaching posts in the region be filled without delay.
Further, the representation flagged the “unsafe and dilapidated” condition of the Government Girls’ Hostel at Mynthong, seeking its immediate demolition and reconstruction.
Regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the JSU called for the provision of smart classrooms, modern science laboratories, and vocational training facilities. The delegation also sought the deployment of trained counsellors in schools and colleges to address mental health issues among students.
