Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
Relieving Meghalaya students aspiring for admission into central universities for undergraduate courses of the burden of appearing for the novel Common University Entrance Test (CUET), Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a letter issued on May 11, exempted Meghalaya from the purview of the test for this academic session.
“Taking into consideration the concerns raised such as geographical conditions, hilly terrain, far-flung location, limited digital connectivity, infrastructure, etc., the affiliated colleges of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) will continue with the existing practice for admission instead of CUET,” the letter from the Union Ministry read.
Earlier in the day, post a coordination committee meeting of all the alliance partners in Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, confirming the receipt of the letter, said that the letter couldn’t have come at a better time as all the coalition partners were discussing issues concerning the state, and in the present scenario, the CUET is one of the major issues as future of tens of thousands of students of the state depends on it.
“The letter came when the coordination committee meeting was underway and it was good timing. The Union Education Minister had specifically mentioned that the other colleges can continue with their admission on existing basis, which means students don’t have to take CUET for admissions in them,” said Sangma.
Earlier on May 2, Sangma after his meeting with the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, had informed that the Centre had “verbally” agreed to exempt the affiliated colleges in Meghalaya and the state government is waiting for an official communication in this regard.
The Union Ministry’s announcement, however, garnered mixed reactions from the student fraternity. While some students seemed upbeat about taking the test irrespective of the exemption, others opted to give it a miss.
“Though I have registered for the test, now that the notification is out, I have decided to opt out of it,” said Ebenezer Nongrwah, a student of Class XII of Arts stream awaiting his results.
Nathan Marwein, a Class XII student of the Commerce stream, said that despite the notification, he will appear for the test. “I paid Rs 550 to register for the CUET and for those opting to change their streams in under graduation, had to pay Rs 1100. I won’t let that money go to waste. Even though it is happening for the first time, and I am clueless about the kind of questions the test papers will have, I have been preparing myself for any eventuality, and will give myself a chance come what may,” said Nathan.
His primary concern, however, is Internet connectivity. “I am hopeful, Internet connectivity will be good during the day of the test as it would be held in centres identified by the authorities,” he said, adding that in his knowledge, currently, there are four CUET test centres in the state – Shillong, Ri-Bhoi, Tura and East Khasi Hills, but he doesn’t know which will be his.
Wansukshisha Nongspung, a student of Class XII (Arts) of St Edmunds College, said that she would like to attempt the CUET examination as it is happening for the first time but she has no plan to pursue studies outside. “I will continue to pursue my studies in the colleges affiliated to NEHU,” she said.
Meanwhile, NEHU Controller of Examination, Debashish Chowdhury said that he is yet to receive the notification from the Union Education Ministry.
Notably, the NEHU recently held an interaction with principals of colleges of Meghalaya to discuss the CUET where the latter expressed concern that lack of infrastructure such as Internet connectivity, saying that it will be a major hurdle for the students appearing for the computer-based examination.
Earlier on May 2, state education minister Lahkmen Rymbui, too had expressed his opposition to the test, saying neither the government nor the students are ready for CUET. “We are not ready. Psychologically, the students are also not ready and moreover, there is absence of centres everywhere, it will be difficult for the students,” Rymbui had said.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), on March 21, 2022, while announcing that marks obtained in Class XII exams will not be considered for admission in undergraduate courses in colleges affiliated to central universities, had said that students will only be admitted on the basis of performance in CUET.