Shillong: The Trinamool Congress lashed out at national entrance exams on Sunday. Party leader Richard M Marak labeled the Common University Entrance Test and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test as institutional barriers for Meghalaya students. These tests exclude tribal youth through a lack of local exam venues and failing digital infrastructure.
Marak argued that the current testing system hits Scheduled Tribe students and low-income families the hardest. Students in remote spots like Baghmara or the Jaintia Hills face a reality that contradicts the government promise of a digital nation. Many travel hundreds of kilometers just to find a working internet connection or a seat for their exam.
"The allocation of examination centers based on university density rather than geographical accessibility places rural students at a significant disadvantage," Marak said. The financial toll on families is high. Beyond application fees, parents pay for coaching, computers, and expensive travel to reach centers in cities such as Guwahati.
Marak described the centralized model as an assembly line that favors rote learning over real development. He wants the Centre and the state government to overhaul the process. His proposal includes replacing high-stakes, single-day tests with a holistic evaluation of a student's creative aptitude and academic track record. He also demanded that state universities receive the resources and autonomy needed to manage admissions that actually fit the local context.
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