Problems and Prospects of Higher Education in Rural Areas of Meghalaya Dash Trilochan1, Head, Mawthoh Iaisan2, Head 1Department of Political Science, Nongstoin College, N.E.H.U. Shillong, Meghalaya. 2Department of Education, Nongstoin College, N.E.H.U. Shillong, Meghalaya. Abstract Education is an essential for the growth and prosperity of both a nation and society. Apart from primary and secondary education, higher education is the main instrument for development and transformation. Higher education has the omnipotent role of preparing future leaders for different spheres of life-social, economic, political, cultural, scientific and technological. According to UNESCO Report on Education in the 21st century, Higher Education is the mandate to bridge the knowledge gap between countries and communities, enriching dialogues between people culture; international linking and net-working of ideas, research and technologies. Thus, Higher education provides the competencies that are required in different spheres of human activity, ranging from administration to agriculture, business, industry, health and communication and extending to the arts and culture (Power 2002 Pp74).In India, the growth of Indian higher educational system has undergone a remarkable transition from an elite system, having deep colonial roots, to an egalitarian system striving to meet the aspirations of a vibrant democracy (Power 1997). Today, the growth of the Indian Higher Education System is a result of the nation's policy, adopted immediately after independence, to promote education amongst the masses. Despite that, Meghalaya is a small north-eastern state consisting of 85 percent of scheduled tribes population with a vast mineral and natural resources still struggling to provide better higher education facilities in rural areas. Most of the higher educational institutions are urban centred. The author tries to examine and focus problems and prospects about the higher education in Meghalaya particularly in rural areas. Top Key Words Higher Education, Rural Area of Meghalaya. Top |