NONGSTOIN/ TURA/ NONGPOH: World Literacy Day was observed throughout the State with a State function held at Langtor Higher Secondary School, West Khasi Hills District, on Wednesday, organized by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and attended by Deputy Chief Minister in charge Education, R.C. Laloo, among others.
The theme of the programme was ‘Education and learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere’.
The main focus of the programme was to mobilize dropouts and enroll them in regular schools or special training centres as mandated under the Right to Education Act.
On the occasion, the chief guest released language materials in Khasi and Garo.
Others who attended the programme included W.D. Sangma, Parliamentary secretary, P.K. Srivastava, Principal Secretary, Education, State Mission Director, SEMAM (SSA), S. Kharlyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman SSA, WKH, F.R. Kharkongor, Secretary, Education, State project Director, SEMAM (SSA), and M.A. Challam, DMC, SSA, WKH, among others.
In Tura the World Literacy Day was observed at SMELC Building, Dakopgre.
Parliamentary Secretary in charge Urban Affairs, Noverfield Marak graced the occasion as chief guest in the presence of West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi among others. Marak and Bakshi addressed the gathering and spoke on the need and importance of education. The keynote address was delivered by Sabrella B Marak, Additional Deputy Commissioner and District Mission Coordinator, SSA.
She informed that at the elementary level, SSA has enrolled about 85,381 children in Lower Primary Schools and 47,046 in Upper Primary Schools in West Garo Hills District. A similar programme was also observed at Umroi, Ri Bhoi, which was organized by the District Mission Coordinator District Unit SSA-SEMAM, Nongpoh, at Umroi Presbyterian Secondary School.
Umroi MDC Albinus Lyngdoh and D. Syngai, EAC, Ri Bhoi, were present. Other dignitaries included Violin Lyngdoh, DMC, SSA, P.B. Sylliang, Vice Chairman of Umroi Pyllun Town Dorbar and Rangbah Shnong, teachers and students. The District Mission Coordinator informed that as per the Census of households during 2014 the number of children out of school was 2221 and out of these around 1000 have been sent to three training centres which were set up to impart basic school training. These children will be sent to mainstream schools at a later date.