Jowai, May 9: The Education Department of the Jaintia Students’ Union Central Body on Thursday met with Meghalaya Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui at Jowai Polytechnic and submitted a memorandum highlighting several pressing educational issues affecting students in Jaintia Hills and across the state.
The delegation was led by Education Secretary Khynroo Bocheru Mi Pohsnem and included members Borntifulson Rupon, Tricky Mukhim, and Mewario Pyrtuh.
According to the union, the memorandum was prepared following consultations with principals of various government schools and colleges in the region. The JSU stated that several urgent issues require immediate intervention from the government to support students, especially those from economically weaker sections.
Among its key demands, the union called for the implementation of a Meghalaya Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fee) Act to regulate and cap tuition fees in educational institutions. The JSU said such legislation is necessary to ensure that education remains affordable and accessible for underprivileged families.
The union also urged the government to expand evening shifts in government schools and colleges to address the recurring shortage of seats that leaves many deserving students without admission opportunities every year. It suggested that the government make use of existing infrastructure and explore the possibility of opening evening sections in more institutions across the region.
Highlighting staff shortages, the JSU demanded the immediate appointment of a Biology teacher at Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Jowai, stating that the absence of the subject teacher has affected students aspiring to pursue medical studies. The union also called on the Education Department to fill all vacant sanctioned posts in educational institutions across the region.
The memorandum further raised concern over the condition of the Government Girls’ Hostel at Mynthong, which the union described as being in a dangerously dilapidated state. The JSU urged the government to demolish and reconstruct the hostel into a safe and modern facility so that female students are not compelled to seek expensive private accommodation.
In addition, the union sought the implementation of measures aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including the introduction of smart classrooms, science laboratories, and vocational tools in local institutions. The JSU also stressed the need for trained counsellors to address the growing mental health concerns among students.
The union further appealed to students to consider enrolling in available evening shifts wherever morning sections have reached full capacity, in order to continue their education without interruption.
