TURA: In a boon for the student community many of whom find difficulty in getting admissions due to the limited number of colleges in the region, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated the Tura Christian College at a function organised at the ABDK compound in the presence of a host of dignitaries, educationists, government officials and intellectuals.
The chief minister was accompanied by his chief adviser and North Tura MLA, Thomas A Sangma, and legislators Saleng A. Sangma of Gambegre and Brening A Sangma of Dalu-Barengapara.
The Tura Christian College, which is an initiative of the Garo Baptist Convention, is the first college to come up in Tura after many years.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the government’s priority is education and all efforts are being made to upscale education infrastructure and facilities in the State. “We have a lot of challenges in the education sector but our determination is there. We are systematically making an attempt to address issues and concerns with regards to improving education in the State,” said Conrad K. Sangma.
Congratulating Tura Christian College for their humble beginnings to impart higher educational facilities in Tura, the Chief Minister recollected his late father P.A. Sangma, who had always guided them to ensure that education is accorded the top most priority.
“The government has accorded education as the priority sector for enhancing socio-economic development of the state. We are working to ensure that government is able to take education to its next level with collective and collaborative approach through different stakeholders,” he added.
He told that in every cabinet meeting 50 percent of the agenda revolves around education department and the government was sincere and committed to address different challenges and shortcomings of the department.
“There is an urgent need for not just proper education in Meghalaya but quality education that would inculcate good virtue and values in the student,” he said, while urging educational institutes to include human touch to education.
He had a word of advice to all in his speech as he said that as officers, educationists and politicians it should be their responsibility to not just be in hurry to clear files, pass students and approve schemes but to take it up at their level to justify and change the lives of the people and future of the children.
“We should be responsible enough and understand the purpose of being in a position and never give up and work to fulfill the dreams and aspiration of our people. We have to be God fearing, respectful to our elders and the love the nation as we discharge our duties,” he added.