By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 17: Growing concern among students, teachers and academic stakeholders over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by North-Eastern Hill University has reignited criticism that the policy was introduced in haste without adequate preparation, infrastructure or academic planning, thus leaving the future of students under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) uncertain.
With undergraduate examinations scheduled to begin on May 19, students across affiliated colleges have expressed anxiety over sitting for the same, as large portions of the syllabus remain incomplete due to insufficient teaching time.
The concerns are particularly acute among fourth and sixth semester students, many of whom are required to take four honours papers under the FYUP structure introduced by NEHU in 2023 following the adoption of NEP 2020.
Students and teachers alleged that the university proceeded with the implementation despite opposition from organisations such as the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association and the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union, which had earlier warned about inadequate infrastructure, shortage of faculty members and poor pupil-teacher ratio in the state.
Under NEHU’s academic regulations, the university is mandated to ensure at least 180 days of actual teaching annually, including a minimum of 90 teaching days in each semester. Stakeholders pointed out that although there are 96 calendar days between February 12 and May 19, the period includes Sundays, national holidays and state holidays, thereby falling short of the required teaching days.
Students and teachers have questioned why NEHU appeared to relax the academic calendar for postgraduate courses to fulfil the 90-day teaching requirement, but did not afford similar consideration to the undergraduate students. Postgraduate examinations are scheduled to begin in June.
A college teacher, who did not wish to be named, alleged that the implementation of NEP and FYUP was “forced and hurried” despite repeated objections raised by teachers and principals, and concerns conveyed to the state government.
According to the teacher, the uncertainty surrounding the fourth year of the programme has only added to the confusion among students.
“Initially, students were admitted under the FYUP structure implying a full four-year course with seventh and eighth semesters. Now, there is confusion over the TYUP/FYUP framework. The implementation of the fourth year is a complete mess,” the teacher said.
The teacher further pointed out that many colleges may not have the infrastructure or academic capacity to offer both Honours and Honours with Research categories envisioned under NEP 2020.
Concerns have also been raised over the absence of a clear postgraduate transition mechanism for students completing the four-year programme. Teachers said NEHU has yet to establish proper lateral entry provisions for students wishing to join the second year of Master’s programmes under the NEP framework.
“Even if students complete the fourth year, the university still does not have a proper system in place for one-year postgraduate courses or lateral entry into Master’s programmes,” the teacher added.
Students, meanwhile, described the present academic structure as academically exhausting and unrealistic.
One fourth semester student said the compressed academic calendar has reduced learning into a race against time, forcing students to memorise large portions of the syllabus instead of engaging in meaningful understanding and discussion.
“Learning should encourage critical thinking and intellectual growth. Instead, we are rushing through chapters simply to complete the syllabus before examinations,” the student said.
The student added that besides classroom teaching, institutional programmes, internal assessments, seminars and holidays further reduce effective academic time within the semester.
Another stakeholder pointed out that several subjects under the FYUP structure prescribe extensive syllabi without ensuring adequate academic resources or reference materials, making it difficult for students to prepare meaningfully.
“There appears to be a major gap between policy formulation and implementation. Students are repeatedly being asked to sit for examinations without full completion of the syllabus,” the stakeholder said.
Questions have also been raised over NEHU’s adherence to its own ordinance governing the academic calendar. Stakeholders claimed that scheduling examinations from May 19 violates the university’s mandated requirement of 90 actual teaching days per semester.
“How does NEHU formulate ordinances and then fail to follow them? How are teachers expected to complete such a vast syllabus within such a short period?” one stakeholder asked.
Amid the growing uncertainty, the Khasi Students’ Union recently met NEHU Shillong Pro Vice-Chancellor, Sumarbin Umdor, seeking immediate clarification regarding the fourth year syllabus and postgraduate arrangements for students under the first batch of FYUP.
The students’ body said students are preparing to enter the fourth year without any official publication of the syllabus or academic framework. It also sought clarity on whether NEHU would introduce the one-year postgraduate system envisaged under NEP 2020 for students completing the four-year undergraduate programme.
