By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 21: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has refuted allegations made by the Voice of the People Party (VPP) that the proposed Meghalaya Education Grant (MEG) is a step towards the privatisation of schools and colleges.
Reacting to recent comments by VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh, the minister argued that the VPP should have discussed the matter with him or officials to know first-hand information about the proposed MEG.
He accused the VPP of making contradictory statements regarding the state government’s efforts to reform the education sector.
He explained that the government aims to streamline the education system by reducing the current 14 categories of schools and teachers into three main types — government, grant-in-aid, and private institutions.
He emphasised that the proposal is meant to provincialise deficit institutions, not privatise them. Sangma pointed out that in several deficit colleges, such as St. Edmund’s and St. Anthony’s, the government already pays the salaries for sanctioned teaching posts.
He said the government intends to take over these institutions officially by provincialising them.
To advance the proposal, a committee has been formed to engage with stakeholders and managing committees of deficit institutions to deliberate on the matter, he added.
