TMC slams Govt over delay in releasing scholarships to students

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 4, 2022

President of the Meghalaya Trinamool Congress Students’ Union Bansharailang Pyngrope on Friday slammed the MDA government for the delay in disbursal of scholarships and the systemic collapse of the education sector.

Referring to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s statement on the pending state scholarships, Pyngrope said, “The students have reached out to us. The scholarship promised by the Chief Minister has not been provided even after one week. Many expressed that the SSC would be conducted in December, but instead of focusing on their studies, they have to find ways to fend for their families.” 

Expressing his concern, he added, “The Inflation rate is very high but the state’s income level is down. In pen and paper, 15% of thestate budget is spent on education but in reality, it is failing. We cannot keep on lying to the residents of the state.

He further questioned the MDA government’s capacity in providing scholarships for the students. “10,000 students are eligible for the umbrella scheme. Where are the pending scholarships?” he said.

Considering the reality of the educational system in the state with schools having no electricity, drinking water connections, or even teachers, the MDA government has put our future generation at risk, he said. 

He said Meghalaya has ranked the second lowest in the latest Performance Grade Index (2020-

21) of the Union Ministry of Education among the states and the Union Territories. 

While the MDA government continues to prove itself inadequate in uplifting the state’s merit in the educational sector, Meghalaya TMC asks is this how the NPP-led MDA government ensures access to education for all?