Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma announced on May 16 that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will address the persistent issues surrounding the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) with the National Testing Agency (NTA).
This comes in response to significant delays and mismanagement during the recent CUET administration, where exams were delayed by nearly three hours.
Minister Rakkam stressed the Chief Minister’s deep concern about the incident, prompting him to advocate for either a proper re-administration of the CUET or an exemption for Meghalaya students.
“The Chief Minister has taken serious note of the incident and has decided to raise it with the Government of India and NTA in the best interest of our students,” he stated.
Challenges Faced During CUET Administration
CUET administration encountered logistical hurdles, notably delays due to insufficient biometric verification setups. Initially, only seven biometric machines were provided instead of the required 40-50, resulting in prolonged waiting times for students.
Despite these challenges, NTA proceeded without biometric verification after obtaining approval.
In response, a review meeting was convened involving the Chief Minister, NEHU officials, and the NTA.
The government intends to formally request the NTA to allow affected students to retake the exams or be exempted, particularly those seeking admission to NEHU or its affiliated colleges.
Minister Rakkam highlighted that many rural students might struggle under these circumstances, potentially leaving numerous seats vacant. Therefore, the government is advocating for exemptions to ensure these students are not disadvantaged.
To address future challenges, the state is progressing with the establishment of its own State University, the Captain Williamson Sangma State University. This initiative aims to offer localized and reliable educational opportunities, reducing reliance on central examination bodies like the NTA.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has called for abandoning CUET for admissions, advocating instead for reliance on Class 12 examination results. They cited the mishandling of CUET at NEHU on May 15 as evidence of NTA’s lack of preparedness and coordination.
The Meghalaya government’s proactive measures, including potential CUET re-administration and the establishment of a state university, demonstrate a strong commitment to ensuring fair educational opportunities. The Chief Minister’s intervention underscores the importance of promptly addressing these issues to safeguard the academic futures of Meghalaya’s youth.