Meghalaya Govt streamlining education, not weakening it: Minister

Shillong, Jun 26: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Friday rejected claims that the government was weakening the education sector, asserting that reforms underway are meant to streamline the entire system and improve quality across schools and colleges.

He was responding to concerns raised by a delegation led by MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang regarding service conditions and pay in deficit grant-in-aid colleges.

Rymbui said the delegation had conveyed apprehensions that the government was “trying to weaken the education sector by doing away with UGC regulations.”

“I explained to them that the government is, in fact, trying to streamline education as a whole, whether in school education or college education,” Rymbui said. “We are moving in a direction where the sole intention is to build the best education system for the state.”

He said the government would examine the matter carefully. “Some teachers have met me and I have told them that we will study the issue properly and do what is best for the state and for the education sector,” he said.

Addressing complaints that some colleges had not advertised teaching posts, the minister said college administration is not the government’s sole responsibility. “Colleges are not run only by the government; they are also run by societies or governing bodies. They must look into their own administrative matters,” he said.

“We will intervene only if there is a deficiency in delivering education. Otherwise, the state does not interfere.”

Rymbui clarified that UGC norms are now being followed for new appointments. “At the entry level, all teachers in colleges now meet UGC regulations,” he said. “For tribal candidates, a postgraduate degree with 50% marks is sufficient for recruitment, and they are also eligible for other UGC facilities adopted by the state once they meet the criteria.”

He outlined several measures taken to strengthen the sector. “We are setting up colleges across the state because we want to strengthen the education system. We are providing grant-in-aid to 21 people’s colleges. We are setting up a state university, and recruitment of professors is underway,” he said.

Teacher welfare, he added, remains a priority.

We introduced a new pay framework to address the welfare of teachers who are not government employees,” Rymbui said. “The intention of the government has always been the betterment of the education system. If there are delays, it is only because we want to ensure that what we do is sustainable and will not create problems in the future.”

He credited Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma for improving access to higher education. “I am thankful to the Chief Minister. It is only through his leadership that we have been able to take these steps,” he said.

“Earlier, I felt for students from remote areas who had to come to Shillong, Tura or Jowai for higher education. Now, with the intention of ensuring accessibility across the state, we have people’s colleges in Chokpot, Shangpung, Khliehriat, Nongtalang and Mawphlang.”He said faculty in these colleges meet UGC norms but expressed concern over low enrolment.

“It is disheartening to see that students from areas like Patharkhmah, Shangpung, Khliehriat and Nongtalang are reluctant to enroll in these colleges despite good faculty,” he said.

“When enrolment is low, it becomes difficult for the government to justify setting up or extending grant-in-aid to more people’s colleges, especially when students continue to rush to Shillong. All newly recruited teachers in people’s colleges meet UGC regulations.”

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