By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 6: The Jaintia Students’ Movement has warned of democratic agitation across Jaintia Hills if the state government fails to establish a CUET (UG) examination centre in the region or provide a one-time admission exemption for local students.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the Education Minister, the JSM highlighted the severe hardships faced by students from East and West Jaintia Hills due to the absence of a Common University Entrance Test (CUET) centre. The organisation demanded that the government coordinate with the National Testing Agency (NTA) to set up a centre in either Jowai or Khliehriat for the 2026 examination cycle.
The student body proposed that if a centre cannot be established this year, students from Jaintia Hills should be granted a one-time exemption from CUET requirements for the 2026-27 academic session. Under this proposal, admissions into the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) would be based on Class XII board marks, as was the practice before CUET’s implementation.
According to the JSM, the lack of a local centre forces thousands of students to travel between 180 and 300 kilometres to Shillong, Ri-Bhoi, Tura, or even Assam. This travel imposes a financial burden of ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 per student, which many rural families cannot afford. The organisation claimed hundreds of students have previously skipped the exam due to these constraints, losing their eligibility for admission into NEHU and affiliated colleges.
The JSM noted that Jaintia Hills has over 65 higher secondary schools with more than 11,000 students appearing for Class XII exams annually. Despite repeated representations since 2024, the group said no action has been taken.
Citing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and constitutional rights to equality and education, the JSM argued that students in Jaintia Hills are being unfairly disadvantaged compared to those in Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi.
The organisation has requested a clear written order from the government by May 11 regarding the establishment of a centre or the proposed exemption. With admissions scheduled to begin in June, the JSM stressed that a timely decision is essential to end student uncertainty.
While the JSM stated it supports the CUET system in principle, it warned that it would launch protests across the region if its demands are not met by the stipulated deadline.
