‘Online scholarship problems’

SHILLONG, NOV 20: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has suggested to the state education department to address the problems faced by students during the ‘online registration for post matric scholarship’ because of connectivity problem especially in the rural areas.

UDP also drew the attention of the department that the new system asking students to file affidavit while applying for their scholarships has resulted in financial burden to their parents and guardians.

UDP working president Jemino Mawthoh said in a petition to the Director of Higher and Technical Education, “This new system of Scholarship Application has brought about the many problems for the students. Most do not have accessibility to the internet, be it at home or in their institutions and due to this they have to visit the cyber cafes to apply for the scholarships.”

Stating that this is not the purpose of e-governance, Mawthoh said, “The absence of cyber cafes in many villages is creating more problems to students staying in such areas which are far from the city.”

Mawthoh also said there are cases which are more technical in nature, like lack of network connectivity, slow response of online registration, login problems, missing of barcode when printing the Scholarship Report and many other technical issues that are alien to the computer illiterate.

Pointing out that hundreds of applications are rejected by institutes as students are not adapt  with the new system and commits errors, Mawthoh said, a single mistake leads to rejection of their application.  He said, “The rejected application has added more tension to the students especially those who are in the midst of their selection exams.”

Mawthoh suggested that all institutions should be provided with free internet services, coupled with proper dissemination of information, on steps to be undertaken to ensure validity of the application. He also expressed concern over filing of an affidavit causing financial burden to the parents, especially those having more than one child.

Mawthoh said, “On inquiry from many, it was found that they prefer the old system which cost them less,” he said.

Mawthoh also felt that the last date of online application scheduled on November 30 must be extended and proper information must be provided to all institutions as well as the students.- By Our Reporter