SHILLONG, MAR 7: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Thursday informed that a committee will be formed to study the fee structures of the different government-aided colleges in the state.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said, “The committee will be asked to study the fee structures of the different institutions.”
“There may be requirements of colleges, for the college buildings, for the administration, for the development fund, if the expenditure is justified it is well and good but if it is not justified, I think for the interest of the students, the government will find a way to decide (on the matter),” he said.
He said that there is a vast difference in the fee structures charged by government colleges and the government-aided colleges in the state.
The minister cited that for degree courses (Bachelor of Arts), Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai has 98 faculty members sanctioned by the government and they are charging fees of only Rs 7,460 for three years course whereas St Anthony’s College, Shillong, which has 101 government sanctioned posts of faculty, are charging Rs 69,020.
Also, Tura Government College, having a total of 86 sanctioned posts, is charging fees of Rs 15,260 for three year degree courses when compared to St Mary’s College, Shillong, which is charging Rs 84,780 for the same course despite getting 65 sanctioned government posts of faculty.
St Edmunds’ College, Shillong has 70 posts sanctioned by the government but is charging Rs 95,720 for the three-year degree course. For BA media technology, St Anthony’s College is charging Rs 1,90,120.
“There’s a lot of difference in the fee structures charged by the colleges, which (are aided by the) government…I feel we should discuss the rates and decide (accordingly),” he said. He said, “At the end of the day it is not about the fees it is about the quality. There may be some brilliant students who want to take admission in premiere institutions but in view of the fee structure they will not be able to.”