Govt examining panel’s report on Pine Mount School

SHILLONG: The government is examining the report of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) which pulled up Pine Mount School for its deplorable condition.
Speaking to The Shillong Times here on Saturday, Minister in charge, Education Lahkmen Rymbui said the government would thoroughly examine the report before taking any action.
Asserting that the Department of Education would also send its team comprising officers to inspect the school, Rymbui said, “If anything is found, the government will take necessary steps.”
Media reports had said the commission, during a visit to the school on October 10, found that the toilets for KG students were located next to the classrooms and emitting obnoxious smell.
“There was no system of pouring water as the drums kept in the toilets were out of reach of the small girls and no ayahs on duty were seen,” the commission said in its report.
The commission also said during interaction with some senior boarders, they expressed their dismay on the way the hostel is running lately since the quality of food is not up to the standard and the children are not getting fruits regularly as part of their diet.
On entering the senior girls’ bedroom which has about 17 girls, the commission found the place was congested and there was no proper ventilation and as pointed by the girls, parts of the ceiling were damaged and would leak during rain.
When the commission’s team met the principal and vice principal, they expressed their difficulties when it came to maintenance of the school as being a government school, the decision lies with the government.
Attempts were made by The Shillong Times to contact the principal of the school but she could not be contacted.