NEP 2020 implementation in UG Courses faces opposition in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 23, 2023

The move of the North Eastern Hill University to implement National Education Policy 2020 in UG courses was not taken too well by a section of the academicians and students.

It was on July 19 that the Vice Chancellor of NEHU, Prabha Shankar Shukla, made the announcement directing all affiliated colleges to adopt the NEP 2020 starting from the upcoming academic year.

However, the VC’s announcement was made even as the state’s Education Minister Rakkam Sangma was doubtful of the implementation of the NEP vis-à-vis the state’s preparation.

It was at a press conference on July 21 that the Meghalaya College Teachers Association (MCTA) maintained that the decision was sudden and unexpected taking into account the state’s unpreparedness.

Joining the chorus of dissent is the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU).

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the union echoed the MCTA’s concern that the announcement was sudden and claimed that the VC bypassed the university’s academic council.

NEHUSU finance secretary Mandor Diengdoh said, “The NEP will pose a challenge as there is no proper infrastructure here in the state, be it in the urban or the rural areas.”

Implementation of NEP 2020 in the HEIs of Meghalaya

Maintaining that the union is not against the NEP, he said “To implement the NEP in the month of August is a very hasty decision.”

He argued that there is a lack of preparation as far as infrastructure is concerned.

Turning to the multi-discipline course as outlined in the NEP, the vice-president of the union Easterson Sohtun said that such a norm is not feasible in rural colleges or even urban colleges that have only one stream.

He also pointed out that the state lacks trained teachers as well.

Sohtun said that a debate, discussion on the NEP should be done to further make the people understand about this new policy.