Jowai: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has urged the Meghalaya government to establish a Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination centre in Jaintia Hills, citing challenges faced by students in accessing exam facilities.
In a letter addressed to Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, the JSU highlighted the difficulties students from remote areas of East and West Jaintia Hills face in traveling to Shillong for MPSC examinations.
The union emphasised that the long commute is both time-consuming and financially burdensome.
“Heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, often causes delays, preventing students from reaching the exam centre on time. Those who arrive late are denied entry, leading to unnecessary stress and lost opportunities,” the letter stated.
Many students in Jaintia Hills come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and the costs associated with traveling to Shillong—including transport, food, and accommodation—impose a significant financial burden. Travel-related delays further increase the risk of missing exams.
Despite a significant number of applicants from Jaintia Hills, the lack of a local examination centre puts them at a disadvantage compared to students from other districts with easier access to exam centres.
The JSU stated that it has repeatedly raised this issue with the Education Minister and other relevant authorities, but no concrete steps have been taken to establish an examination centre in the district.
While an MPSC Cell office exists in Jowai, the union pointed out that its impact remains minimal due to the absence of an examination centre.
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Students are still required to travel to Shillong, making the office ineffective in addressing their needs.
The JSU urged the government and MPSC to take immediate action to set up an examination centre in Jaintia Hills.
The union emphasised that since the formation of Meghalaya in 1972, students from Jaintia Hills have faced challenges in accessing education and employment opportunities.
Establishing a local examination centre would help bridge this gap and ensure equal opportunities for all students in the region.
