TURA: South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ramkumar S has said that education and health make up the basic foundation of all developed societies in the world.
The Deputy Commissioner who is also the chairman of the SSA District Unit was speaking as the chief guest during the World Literacy Day celebration held at the Multi Facility Centre in Ampati on Friday, where he engaged the audience in a discussion on education and literacy as a powerful weapon for building an enlightened and empowered society. Citing a few examples in history as to how education has changed the world, he said that because of education, many diseases have been eradicated, wars have been prevented, poverty reduced and many social evils stopped.
He also called for greater involvement of all stakeholders in the celebration of World Literacy Day in the future with week-long programmes and activities to spread the importance of literacy and education. Observing that many of the children are first generation students, he reiterated that it is the responsibility of teachers to sow bright ideas in their students which will infuse hope for their future and will in turn bring about transformation in the society.
Earlier, EAC and District Mission Coordinator, SSA, D. A. Sangma highlighted on the significance of the day and why it is important for children to develop life skills in today’s competitive world.
She also expressed concern over poor performance of the students of the district in the SSLC exams and called upon all stakeholders and teachers, particularly those teaching at the grass roots level, to introspect on whether they are fulfilling their responsibilities with commitment and dedication.
DSEO,Ampati, C.J.Sangma and SDSEO, R.Z.Das also spoke on the occasion highlighting the importance of literacy and education for socio-economic transformation and various interventions under SSA for reducing dropout rates and increasing the enrolment of children in schools.
Friday’s celebration which was centered on the theme ‘Literacy and Skill Development’ was organised by the District Unit of SSA South West Garo Hills.
Education Department officials, NGO leaders, nokmas, parents, teachers and students from various schoolsparticipated in the event.