SHILLONG, Aug 29: Even after 45 days into the new academic
session, at least 22 of the 75 colleges affiliated to the North
Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya are yet to shift to the 4-
year undergraduate course with the teachers’ union actively
protesting the university’s push for the course, officials said on
Tuesday.
Meghalaya Teachers’ College Association (MCTA) general
secretary Dr Airpeace W Rani informed that 22 colleges
affiliated to the university are boycotting the first semester
classes and not undertaking any assignments under the new
policy.
The association has petitioned vice-chancellor Prof PS Shukla to
withdraw the July 12 notification mandating the
implementation of NEP 2020 across all affiliated colleges.
“We served the representation on July 21 and since he
remained silent, we started the ongoing non-cooperation
movement from August 1,” Rani said.
According to the MCTA leader, the way forward to end this
stalemate is for the VC to withdraw this notification and go
back to the old 6 semester course.
“We are on agitation for nearly a month. We request the VC to
withdraw this notification and end the stalemate,” Rani said.
The MCTA said the July 12 notification had claimed that the
decision to implement NEP had been taken as per decision of
the 110th Academic Council of NEHU and approved by the
Executive Council.
Rani, however, said the proceedings of the Academic Council
did not mention anything on the implementation of the NEP
2020.
Meanwhile, NEHU VC has commended the resolution by the
rest of the affiliated colleges in swiftly adopting the Four-Year
Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) as envisioned in the
National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
“As the 2023-24 academic session commenced, NEHU and its
affiliated colleges embarked on this transformative educational
journey to enrich the higher education landscape in
Meghalaya,” he said.
The vice-chancellor appealed to the agitating college teachers
union to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve any
concerns and invited the MCTA for an open discussion to
achieve an amicable resolution.
He emphasised the adoption of the FYUP scheme is a significant
stride towards holistic education and is confident that this
transformative step will pave the way for a brighter and more
enriching academic journey for the students. (PTI)
