SHILLONG: “Extra-Curricular activities are as essential as normal studies in moulding a child’s future,” said Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, Meghalaya’s Minister for Information and Public Relations as she inaugurated the school week of St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Mairang at a function held in the school campus on Monday.
Stressing on the importance of extracurricular activities in a students’ life, Dr Lyngdoh who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, said that extra-curricular activities allowed students to broaden their mind and the life experience gained through doing things outside of bookish studies was what shaped a person, according to a government communique.
Recognizing the achievement of the School which has been able to draw around 1700 students in their roll, Dr Lyngdoh said that it was an impressive feat achieved by the school management and teachers as they had been able to stop the exodus of rural students to the urban area for studies by providing quality education.
Dr Lyngdoh also stated that it was important to build institutions of standard in the rural areas as these would reduce expenses tremendously for parents who otherwise have to send their wards away from home for studies.
Others who attended the function included Dr. Eureka L Mawlong, Rev. Fr. Herodes, Principal of the school, FM Lakiang, SDO (C), Mairang Civil Sub Division, members of the managing committee of the school, teachers and students. Besides cultural programmes, flower arrangement exhibition and science exhibition were also part of the inaugural function.
It may be mentioned that St. Thomas Higher Secondary school which was established in the year 1972 is one of the premier schools in Mairang Civil Sub-Division.