CM lays foundation stone for ADB-funded Raid Lyngkhoi school building
SHILLONG: As many as 57 higher secondary schools in the State have received opening permission and government recognition. Informing this after laying the foundation stone for construction of Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Raid Lyngkhoi Higher Secondary School building at Pdeng Shnong, Lyngkhoi in East Khasi Hills on Thursday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma assured that 145 secondary schools, which are still awaiting permission and financial support from the Government – including Raid Lyngkhoi School, would be getting necessary support this year.
Local MLA and Minister in charge GAD, Transport, H.D.R. Lyngdoh, Director, School Education and Literacy, A. Ch. Marak, local leaders, SMC members and teachers and students of the school were present on the occasion.
The construction of the school building is being funded by ADB under the project – Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya, which is aimed at enhancing the employability of the State’s youth through improvement in secondary education and vocational skills training programmes.
Under the project, scores of government-aided private schools in the State are in the process of being upgraded to meet the national standards, improve the overall learning environment for the students and provide training for under-qualified teachers. The project will improve the quality, delivery and access to secondary and higher secondary school education and facilitate results oriented technical and vocational skills training in the State.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the ADB project is the one of its kind in the country, adding that the total amount being spent under the scheme is more than Rs. 800 crore.
He called for the need to expedite the projects under Phase I on timeline basis so that the State can get more amount of money for phase II.
Stating the reasons for school dropouts in the State, the Chief Minister said that the government was striving hard to minimize the dropout rate by creating an enabling environment and handholding support to the students from poor rural background. As such there is bound to be higher demand for admission to higher classes and there is a need to upgrade all schools to higher secondary levels to enable their intake of students, he said.
He congratulated the people of Raid Lyngkhoi area for assuming upon themselves the responsibility of opening up the higher secondary school.
The Chief Minister also sought to instill hope in the minds of the people in the wake of rumours that the Government was heading towards financial crisis, saying “it is the duty of the leaders to generate hope among the people and despite all the constraints and challenges we will overcome all the hurdles on way to fulfill the expectations of the people.”
“Shillong and Meghalaya as a whole, is becoming a sought after destination, because of which the government is being able to generate more and more revenue from hotels,” he added.