NONGSTOIN: A lower primary school in West Khasi Hills has been renovated after Chief Minister Conrad Sangma donated one and a half month’s salary amounting to Rs 3.14 lakh.
Sangma visited the renovated Shohphria Government LP School at Shohphria village on Tuesday.
“It was a simple idea that since education is the priority for the government and education being so important for the future of our children and state, I came up with this initiative to encourage legislators, government officials, business houses to contribute whatever little they can for the welfare of our students,” he said. “The idea of donating one’s earning towards society is to promote and spread the powerful message of exchange project thus developing a sense of responsibility towards development in the education sector,” he added.
The school, established in 1956 by the Presbyterian Church, was taken over by the government after the creation of Meghalaya, carved out of Assam. It had remained neglected for over two decades with broken walls and no roof-top.
Last month, the chief minister had announced that he would contribute his salary, which was immediately released for the renovation of the school. He said that he would continue to support and help many other schools in the state.
Sangma requested local MLA of Nongstoin constituency Macmillian Byrsat to adopt a school in South Tura which he represents in Meghalaya legislative assembly. “I request all legislators to help each other in this endeavour to make a difference and live by our own example,” he asserted.
Byrsat said he would donate his month’s salary to any development purpose in South Tura.
Sangma interacted with the students and wore the cap of a teacher by teaching identification of animals, alphabets during his visit.
The chief minister informed that due to financial constraint the government could not invest in education but by self-donation or contribution it could bring about a change. He called upon parents and teaching faculty to bring about change by fulfilling their duties. The students expressed happiness over the renovation of the school and added that even if it rains they can attend school. Five classrooms and staff rooms were renovated and tables and chairs and stationeries were purchased.
Joint secretary to the chief minister Arun Kumar Kembhavi was also present.
Claret HS building
On Tuesday evening, Sangma inaugurated the Higher Secondary building of St Claret Higher Secondary School Umkdait, Nongmensong. He assured to install solar lamps in the school, while Health Minister AL Hek provided ten laptops to the school as part of digital aid. Archbishop Dominic Jala and MDC Neil Antonio War were also present.
