Plight of SSA schools raised in Assembly

SHILLONG: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Wednesday informed the assembly that SSA schools across the state are operating with less than 20 students each.
In his written reply, Rymbui also said the government is taking steps to rationalise the placement of teachers in these schools.
Replying to a supplementary query raised by Congress MLA Dikkanchi D Shira during the question hour, the minister informed that as per norms, the teacher-student ratio should be 1:30.
Shira also enquired whether the teachers attend school regularly, to which Rymbui said, “There is no report that teachers are absent from schools.”
NPP MLA Rakkam A Sangma pointed out that in some cases there are more teachers than students in most village schools.
“There are many LP schools here compared to the rest of the North East as the government tries to reach every corner of the state,” Rymbui replied.
Sangma also enquired whether the state government has plans to approach the Centre for SSA grants to private schools with 200-300 enrollments.
Rymbui replied the government will look into the matter.
To a query raised by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)’s Saleng Sangma, Rymbui said that the SSA is a complex issue as it is managed by different organisations.
“However, the state government will try to improve the lot of SSA schools,” he added.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Himalaya Shangpliang raised a question on how the mid-day meal is administered if there are only 4 teachers and 3 students in a school.
“The mid-day meal is under the Right to Education and should reach the intended students,” Rymbui said.
The Education Minister also informed there are 903 schools operating in different districts with a total number of 2682 teachers.