Govt will look into issue of exorbitant fees in educational institutions: Meghalaya Education Minister

The minister, taking note that every student has limitations, said that the department would certainly get reports on the issue from heads of different educational institutions

Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Friday expressed concern about reports of educational institutions in the state charging high rates as fees and said that the government would look into the matter.

Speaking to the media, Rakkam A. Sangma said, “Some NGOs have petitioned us on the matter, and as a department, we are taking note of this. We will get more details on the issue, and if there is something, we will certainly take some measures considering the economic hardships of some students.”

The minister, taking note that every student has limitations, said that the department would certainly get reports on the issue from heads of different educational institutions.

Reacting to the concerns of students about the lack of government colleges in the state, the minister said that there are fewer higher educational institutions in the state that can cater to the needs of students as compared to the elementary level.

“At the higher educational institutions in the state, the number of institutions is not enough to cater to the students we have in the state today. This is our limitation,” the minister admitted.

Responding to questions about if members of GNLA (Meghalaya militant group) was regrouping, the minister said that the news is not true.

“It not. As of now, no such thing is there on the ground.”

Focus on education for all and employment opportunities is what the Cabinet Minister and Rongara Siju MLA, Rakkam A Sangma suggested as the solution to stop militancy from raising its ugly head once again in the State.

His constituency bordering Bangladesh was once dubbed as a corridor for militants to cross over to Bangladesh.

He stressed that bringing up the standard of education, infrastructure and development is the need of the hour.

The Minister spoke about the state government’s focus to make Meghalaya the No 1 state not just in northeast but in entire India. He highlighted the need to tap the full potential of the state’s tourism sector to create more job opportunities as government jobs are limited.

“Meghalaya is one of the best destinations in the world. But we have much room to improve in terms of the tourism sector. Meghalaya should always be at the top. We have the resources, but these resources have not been discovered, the Minister said.

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