Setup regulatory body to control fee order, KSU demands from govt

Guwahati: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has urged the Meghalaya government to establish a regulatory body to oversee and control the fee structures in private as well as minority-run schools, colleges, and other educational institutions across the state.

This demand comes amidst reports of prominent colleges selling admission forms before the announcement of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG-2024 results.

KSU General Secretary Donald V. Thabah, highlighting the union’s longstanding opposition to the “monopolisation of education,” pointed to states like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu that have implemented regulatory bodies for monitoring fees in private and minority institutions.

“Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly affected by this unregulated system,” Thabah stated.

He expressed concern that high fees in private institutions could effectively deny access to quality education for students from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

Thabah drew a parallel with the Meghalaya Private University Regulatory Board established after the CMJ University controversy.

However, he questioned the continued existence of this regulatory body.

While welcoming North-Eastern Hill University’s (NEHU) participation in CUET UG-2024, Thabah emphasized the importance of a smooth admission process and error-free question papers.