NONGSTOIN/MAWKYRWAT: Meghalaya is all set to get 11 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) which aims to provide free education to students in tribal areas.
Nongstoin MLA Macmillan Byrsat laid the foundation stone for an EMRS at Sohparu village. Another school is set to be established at Mawkyrwat with the foundation stone for the same being laid by local legislator Renikton L Tongkhar.
The aim of the EMRS is to improve quality of education among Scheduled Tribes and to bring them at par with the rest of the country. The school is being funded by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Speaking on the occasion, Byrsat lauded B Kharbani who had donated her land for the school.
Asserting that education is a powerful tool to eradicate poverty from the society and the nation, he said that he had pushed for sanction of the project in Nongstoin, following which the project was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 20 crore. Byrsat also took the opportunity to thank Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for his efforts in making the project a reality.
Others present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner T. Lyngwa, district heads of PWD (R&B), PHE, Education and the headmen and sordar of nearby villages and the locals.
Tongkhar calls for support in order to bring development
During the foundation stone laying ceremony at Mawkyrwat, Tongkhar called for support and cooperation among stakeholders in order to bring development to the constituency. He expressed happiness that Mawkyrwat was getting one of the 460 EMRS being set up across the country.
Tongkhar informed that land will be finalised soon for construction of the school. Tongkhar also said that the school will provide free quality education and will cater to the needs of students especially those from poor families who cannot afford to send their children to private institutions.
Meanwhile, Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein said that the EMRS will be a blessing for the people of the area especially for the poor and downtrodden.
South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Iswanda Laloo informed that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had recently approved 11 EMRSs in 11 districts of Meghalaya with each school being sanctioned Rs 20 crore.
