Govt launches innovative programme for less privileged
SHILLONG: Students are an integral and essential part of schooling. One of the most powerful tools for the social and economic progress of a country is quality education. While privileged children receive quality education, most underprivileged kids are provided with education only on paper.
To turn things around, the State Government has initiated a new programme under which instead of students coming to schools teachers will be sent every nook and corner of the state to impart education to the deprived students in an attempt to empower them.
Education Secretary F.R. Kharkongor told The Shillong Times that as per the innovative programme launched by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a creative strategy was developed to send teachers and teaching staff to school-less habitations where they (students) reside, rather than the other way round.
This method is initiated as the parents of these children cannot take them to school due to various reasons
“We will have educational volunteers who will be mobile teachers carrying with them teaching materials and, they will impart teaching to children residing near coal mines, road construction camps, factory sites, school less habitations, agricultural areas and others,” Kharkongor said.
The programme has been initiated on a pilot basis in Jaintia Hills this year in view of the prevalence of a large number of underprivileged children.
The State Government plans to cover as many as 500 children initially through 10 centres.
According to Kharkongor, the project was approved as an innovative strategy by Ministry of Human Resource Development in line with what Mizoram has done for children residing in Jhum areas.
The initiative has also been suggested in the Meghalaya Vision Plan, 2020 formulated by National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
Once the innovative strategy is successful, it will also be attempted in other districts which have similar category of children.
The programme was formally launched on December 1 at Jowai for both East and West Jaintia Hills districts by Deputy Chief Minister in charge education RC Laloo in the presence of Kharkongor, Acting Deputy Commissioner in charge West Jaintia Hills DM Wahlang, education official L Darnei, senior education department functionaries of the district and school teachers.