NEP Stalemate In Meghalaya: 22 Colleges Boycott Classes And Assignments Under New Policy

Teachers’ association in Meghalaya has asked the NEHU to withdraw the NEP implementation notification and return back to the older 6-semester academic scheme.

As many as 22 colleges out of the 75 colleges in Meghalaya affiliated to the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) are yet to shift to the new four-year undergraduate course pattern, even after 45 days post the commencement of the new academic session, due to the teachers’ union’s active protest against the University’s move to implement the course, an official was reported as saying by PTI. As per Meghalaya Teachers' College Association (MCTA) general secretary Dr Airpeace W Rani, a total of 22 colleges under the university are boycotting classes and sidelining assignments under the new policy. 

The teachers’ associates through a petition also asked the university to withdraw the July 12 notification mandating the implementation of the new policy in all its 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 was reported as saying. 

Withdrawing the notification and rolling back to the old 6-semester academic system is the way forward to end this deadlock. "We are on agitation for nearly a month. We request the VC to withdraw this notification and end the stalemate," Rani added further. 

The association leader further highlighted that the university in its July 12 notification stated that the decision to implement the NEP in the university and its affiliated colleges was taken based on the decision of the 110th Academic Council of NEHU and approval from the Executive Council. However, Rani said that the proceedings of the Academic Council had nothing on the implementation of the NEP 2020. 

NEHU Vice-Chancellor on the other hand has recommended affiliated colleges to swift adopt the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) as envisaged in the 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 was reported as saying. 

In the meanwhile, NEHO VC has also urged the agitating members of the teachers’ association to indulge in healthy dialogues to derive an amicable solution to the matter. He further underlined that the FYUP would significantly contribute towards holistic education, and he is confident that it will open up a brighter and more enriching academic journey for the students.

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