Students’ rally opposing admission policy

TURA,JUNE 9: Hundreds of students on Tuesday took part in a rally organised by Garo Students Union (GSU) at Tura in Meghalaya’s West Garo hills venting their anger against the new admission policy for higher secondary and degree courses.

The rally started from Chandmari playground and culminated at Deputy Commissioner’s office. It was attended by at least 2500 students. The students holding placards raised their pitch opposing the new admission policy.

Adhering to the new policy two premier government colleges at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills and Baghmara in South Garo Hills have stopped their admission for higher secondary classes.

The student activists feel that this has affected the students of Garo hills as most of the districts have very few government higher secondary schools.  The GSU is worried that the move will have a larger implication in Garo hills.

The students’ body has urged state education minister RC Laloo to look into the issue as the future of hundreds of students are at stake in Garo hills. “Most private higher secondary schools offer only arts courses, which will deprive students to pursue higher students in science and commerce stream”, said Zikku Balgra Marak, president, GSU interim unit.

Marak said that the government has to immediately find out ways to resolve the matter. “We will continue to protest till the matter is not resolved and admissions reopened”, he added.

Last week, the GSU had served two-day ultimatum to the state government to ensure that admission for Class XI is allowed at Williamnagar Government College and at Captain Williamson Memorial Government College at Baghmara.

“The new education policy is detrimental for the student community of Garo hills as there are limited seats available in present higher secondary schools”, said Walseng Sangma, assistant general secretary of GSU, interim unit.

The introduction of semester system at degree level has forced Tura Government College to stop their morning shift, which has also affected the students opting for morning shift.

“The guidelines for semester system are aimed at improving education scenario. “Closure of morning shift at Tura Government College will have an adverse impact on the student community”, said Nikman Marak, president of Garo Hills Statement Movement Committee, who was also present at the rally.

“We are worried because except for Tura, rest of Garo hills has not much option for higher students”, Marak added.-From Our Correspondent