JOWAI: School Education and Literacy Minister Deborah C Marak inaugurated the newly upgraded Wapung Higher Secondary School at Wapungskur village in East Jaintia Hills on Thursday.
Shillong MP Vincent Pala, Sutnga MLA Hopeful Bamon and local MLA Justine Dkhar were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Marak lauded the village dorbar and the school managing committee for their focus on bringing quality education to the village.
It may be mentioned that the Wapung School was upgraded to the higher secondary level recently.
Marak, however, said that improving the literacy rate in the village was the need of the hour. The Minister called on the villagers to work with the government to improve the education scenario in the area.
Out of the 4100 people in Wapungskur, only 53% are literate.
Lok Sabha MP Pala also lauded the dorbar shnong and the school managing committee for their efforts. Pala also observed that with the NGT ban on coal mining, people were finding it increasingly difficult to send their children to study in towns and cities, and at this juncture the ugradation of the school at Wapungskur will help students to continue with their studies.
Local MLA Justine Dkhar, meanwhile, said the higher secondary school at Wapungskur can cater to around 14 neighboring villages that are deprived of such an institute.
Sutnga MLA, Hopeful Bamon, JHADC MDC Phasmoon Dkhar and Laksy Rymbai, the Rangbah Shnong, also spoke on the occasion besides others.
