SHILLONG: The central body of Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has expressed strong disagreement with the recent statement by the Education Minister advocating for all colleges in Meghalaya to be affiliated with Captain Williamson Sangma State University in Tura.
The JSU opposes this proposal and calls for the government to seek consensus from various college bodies before making any decisions on affiliation, highlighting that such a move should not be imposed.
“The university is still in its nascent stages and may face administrative hurdles,” a JSU spokesperson said, adding, “Mandating affiliation now would cause undue hardship to many colleges, especially those in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.”
While the JSU is not against the establishment of the State University itself, they believe this proposed affiliation could create significant inconveniences for colleges located in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, which account for around 55 of the 74 colleges in the state.
Additionally, the JSU suggests that the state government engage in discussions with the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding the conduct of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) to prevent future failures.
The student body stressed on the need for more examination centres to facilitate easier access for aspiring students and recommend improving internet connectivity in areas where exams are held to ensure smooth biometric verification, minimising inconvenience for students.
Moreover, the JSU urges the government to request that the NTA reduce the CUET application fees, as the current costs are prohibitively expensive for underprivileged students in the state.
“The high cost of CUET applications is a significant barrier for many students. We request that the NTA consider reducing these fees to make higher education more accessible to all,” the spokesperson said.
The JSU calls for a more inclusive approach in decision-making processes affecting educational institutions and stresses the importance of considering the unique challenges faced by colleges and students in Meghalaya.
