Editor,
Apropos the news item “Garo body demands repair of Schools” (ST Nov.12,2018 ), according to my experience I dare to state here that thousands of school buildings in Meghalaya are in tattered conditions in almost all eleven districts of the state. These schools remain unattended by the private school managing committees or by Government in the Education Department. The worst are the government schools. We spend time in talking about the Education Policy and how to improve education in the state but we do nothing for the school buildings and other infrastructural facilities for school children. What is going on here? Whenever we are on tour to many parts of Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills we notice many school buildings, especially LP and UP school buildings in a state of disrepair and in dilapidated conditions. The worst part is that school children are left to fend for themselves even during rainy seasons or inclement weather. This keeps on happening and there is no proper attention by the school authorities. This is the unkindest cut of all. We appeal to the Government and the school authorities to give our school children the best of school education and to maintain the school buildings, wherever they exist even if it involves heavy expenditure because this is investment in human capital.
The above news item has mentioned the school buildings at Garobhita and Kuchiasora the Garo villages under South West Khasi Hills District that were devastated by natural calamities in May last year and remained unrepaired till date, thereby leaving the school children high and dry. It was also reported in the news item that the schools remained non-functional or closed for more than one year. What on earth is happening? This is not only gross but it is a crime. Perhaps some money might have been sanctioned for the said school buildings of the two villages but how that money was utilised only the local people there know the truth. The very fact that the President of the United Achik Youth Federation, Mr. Sanggra Marak, has filed a complaint to the Director of School Education and Literacy, shows that the money sanctioned for repairs of the school buildings was not utilised for that purpose or was misutilised by the school authorities. This is blatant corruption. We appeal to the DSEL and the Education Department to set up an inquiry into this and punish those responsible for the act. Further we must laud and appreciate the President and members of the Federation for bringing the matter to the notice of the Education Department and we hope the DSEL will take appropriate action.
Yours etc
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Shift Medical College to Laitkor
Editor,
The Government of Meghalaya has been scouting for land for shifting the Shillong Medical College cum Hospital from Mawprem (Shillong) to some other site which is spacious and free from any type of congestion unlike in Mawprem. It is learnt that the Government is now planning to shift the Shillong Medical College cum Hospital to Umsawli area (New Shillong Township) near NEIGRIHMS where there are many other national institutes or projects like NEIGRIHMS, NEIAH, NIFT, IIM, IHMCT&AN etc. Where is the need of another Medical College cum Hospital to be set up here as this facility is already being provided by two big medical institutes – NEIGRIHMS and NEIAH. Besides, this area will be congested and hazardous later due to the accumulation of many mega projects.
Under the circumstance, we the members of Rural & Urban Development Society (RUDS), located at Khliehriat hereby suggest a good location at Laitkor which is well connected to many districts like East and West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi etc. The people of this area too will be benefitted by this mega Medical College cum Hospital as there is no other institution of this nature in the nearby districts. Moreover, the place is still very spacious, open, free from any type of environmental hazards and the topography is very much construction friendly. More importantly, if the Western By-Pass comes up as per the Government plan then areas like Mylliem, Sohra, Pynursla, Mawkyrwat, Nongstoin etc. will be nearer to this place and the congestion and traffic jam of Shillong city will be greatly reduced.
Yours etc.,
Deibormi Syad,
Via email