SHILLONG, June 27: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Saturday signaled a shift in the state’s grip on higher education, defending the “streamlining” of deficit colleges while dismissing VPP allegations that the government is covertly scrapping UGC pay scales.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) recently accused the government of attempting to weaken the higher education sector by moving away from University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. Critics warn such a move could lead to budget cuts and a drop in academic standards in the state’s colleges.
Responding to these charges, Rymbui claimed the government’s objective is to ensure a better education system in Meghalaya. He stated that the government is “carefully examining” issues related to UGC regulations to determine what would be in the best interest of the state.
Addressing concerns over colleges failing to advertise teaching posts, Rymbui clarified the status of deficit colleges stating that these institutions are managed by their respective governing bodies or societies rather than directly by the government. He said the state would only intervene if management deficiencies began to affect the quality of education. The minister also pointed out that, unlike in previous years, all newly recruited college teachers now meet UGC eligibility norms at the entry level.
