Northeast Desk, 17th May: On May 16, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma announced that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will address the long-standing issues surrounding the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) with the National Testing Agency (NTA). This action follows significant delays and mismanagement experienced by students during the recent CUET administration, where exams were delayed by nearly three hours.
Minister Rakkam emphasized that the Chief Minister is deeply concerned about the incident and has decided to advocate for either a proper re-administration of the CUET or an exemption for Meghalaya students. “Chief Minister has taken serious note of the incident and has decided to take it up with the Government of India and NTA in the interest of our students,” he stated.
The administration of CUET faced significant logistical issues, with delays caused by inadequate biometric verification setups. Initially, only seven biometric machines were provided instead of the required 40-50, leading to prolonged waiting times for students. Despite these challenges, NTA eventually proceeded without biometric verification after receiving the green light.
In response to these issues, a review meeting was held involving the Chief Minister, officials from North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), and the NTA. The government plans to formally write to the NTA demanding that affected students be allowed to retake the exams or be exempted, particularly for those aiming to enroll at NEHU or its affiliated colleges.
Minister Rakkam highlighted that many students from rural areas might not perform well under these circumstances, which could leave numerous seats unfilled. Therefore, the government is urging for exemptions to ensure these students are not disadvantaged.
To mitigate future issues, the state is moving forward with establishing its own State University, the Captain Williamson Sangma State University. This new institution aims to provide more localized and reliable educational opportunities, reducing dependency on central examination bodies like the NTA.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has also called for the abandonment of the CUET for admissions, advocating instead for reliance on Class 12 examination results. They cited the poor handling of the CUET at NEHU on May 15 as evidence of NTA’s lack of preparedness and coordination.
The Meghalaya government’s proactive steps, including the potential re-evaluation of CUET administration and the establishment of a state university, reflect a strong commitment to ensuring fair and efficient educational opportunities for its students. The Chief Minister’s intervention with the Government of India and the NTA underscores the importance of addressing these systemic issues promptly to safeguard the academic futures of Meghalaya’s youth.
Read More: Meghalaya Police Arrest Two Interstate Drug Traffickers, Seize Heroin Worth ₹1.5 Crore