SHILLONG: Expressing concern over the failure to regulate the fee structure charged by the various educational institutions, KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa said that many of the institutions are charging fees as per their own whims and fancies since the Government does not have mechanism to check this unhealthy practice.
“We have impressed upon the previous Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on the need to have a standardized fee structure in the State. We had even suggested on the need of a Government Regulatory Fees Structure (GRFS) for regulating fees in the various education institutions,” Jyrwa said while talking to newsmen here on Friday.
He said that they could not follow up this matter after there was change of guard and Prof RC Laloo became the Education Minister.
Jrywa pointed out that it was really sad that even educational institutions who are getting funding from the Government are also charging exorbitant fees.
According to the KSU general secretary, the worst who are badly affected are the people who come from the lower income group especially at this hour when admission for the higher secondary and degree level is still going on.
“As of now, people coming from a lower income group are not able to send their children to the best and colleges and schools due to exorbitant fees which are being charged. I personally think this is also one of the main reasons which led to the increase of the school drop outs in the State,” the KSU general secretary said.
He also questioned that the spot admission policy adopted by the premier colleges and schools in the State
“We totally oppose this police since are many of the deserving students were reported of not getting admission due to this policy. We are also opposing to the decision of certain colleges and schools for asking the students to immediately pay the fees. Many of the students coming from the poor background were denied admission since they cannot pay the fees immediately,” Jyrwa said.
He also said that the students should be given an opportunity to pay the fees in installments.
Pointing out that with a large number of students are not getting admission, he said that the education cell of the union is trying to see that all the students get admission.
“We would urge the different college authorities to give first priority to the local indigenous students for admission,” the KSU general secretary added.
