Shillong, December 2: Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has acknowledged that the ongoing crisis at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has hindered the effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He expressed concerns about the broader implications of the impasse, not only on NEHU but also on affiliated colleges across the state.
Sangma, speaking to the media, stated, “It’s not only the implementation of the National Education Policy but it will have a series of chain reactions affecting all sectors, including the academic sessions of students, the colleges across the state affiliated with NEHU, syllabus, curriculum, and academic activities. All of these are being affected.”
Despite the challenges, the Education Minister noted that the appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor has paved the way for essential decisions to be made regarding the university’s functioning. “Thanks to the Ministry of Education, they have appointed an acting Vice Chancellor. I think he will do the needful. It is the university and the department who have to decide on the implementation of the National Education Policy. The responsibility of the state is to provide the necessary infrastructure and staff. The University, faculty members, and colleges should decide on the implementation of NEP 2020,” he explained.
When asked about the central security requested by Prof. P.S. Shukla for his return to the university, Sangma clarified that the matter lies with the central government, although he expressed his view on the students’ role in the issue. “This has to be decided by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and the central government. I have nothing to say about it, but the students are our students. They are not enemies to anyone. Sometimes, the voice of our students must be heard, and it must be listened to,” he said.
Sangma emphasized the importance of addressing the root cause of the unrest, even though he did not comment on the specifics of the ongoing inquiry. “Whether the demand is genuine or not, whether the issue is genuine or not, I don’t know the root of the issue. What is important now is finding a solution for the academic career of the students,” he added.