200 students graduate in Ri Bhoi
NONGPOH: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday said that the Government aims to train over 4,000 youths across the state under the Skill and Career Development programme.
Over 200 students of the Ri Bhoi Presbyterian Higher Secondary School, Nongpoh graduated from the 10-day programme on Soft Skills, Career Readiness, Talent and Aspiration Identification at a function held at the School Hall on Friday.
The programme was organised by the Avenues as state implementation partner in partnership with selected institutions for school and undergraduate students in eight districts of the state under the Aspire Meghalaya initiative, which is a flagship programme of the State Government designed to take coaching for soft skills, well-being and career readiness to tribal youth of the State across rural and suburban schools and colleges.
Speaking at the graduation programme as chief guest, the chief minister appealed to all stakeholders to focus on quality over quantity in education, sports and skills development initiatives. He applauded the participants for their confidence and encouraged them to “contribute to yourself, your family, your society, your State, to the country and to our Mother Earth. It is with this vision and idea in mind that we decided that we must ensure that the best in you comes out through programmes like Aspire Meghalaya.”
He highlighted the urgent need for young people to drastically improve the national narrative around youth, work and productivity in the State and urged the young participants to be productive members of society. “We hope to target over 4,000 youth across the State through this programme as we work towards building an ecosystem that brings out the best in you.”
Ri Bhoi DC Rosetta Mary Kurbah, who was the guest of honour, lauded the students for displaying confidence. She lamented about the fact that students in rural Meghalaya lack the exposure and support systems necessary to identify and realize their ambitions. “I believe this programme has given you the tools to prepare a roadmap for the rest of your lives,” she said while commending Avenues for the visible transformation of the students of classes 11 and 12.
“It is deeply encouraging to note that the state government has chosen to focus on well-being, emotional resilience and personal aspiration at the heart of the skilling landscape for school and college students through this initiative” expressed Mark Stone Laitflang, Managing Director of Avenues.
The students of the institution performed a moving rendition of the classic Khasi folk song Mei baieid jong nga and dedicated their sessions on leadership to their mothers.
The workshops conducted focused on personal values, emotional awareness, basic speaking skills, decision making and goal setting, while each participant was encouraged to explore their talents and aspirations.
Aspire Meghalaya is a first of its kind initiative sponsored by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the country. The programme is implemented through the Department of Arts & Culture, Government of Meghalaya through State implementation partner Avenues.
Certificates of participation were distributed to all successful candidates.
The official textbook and courseware for the Aspire Meghalaya programmes was also launched on the occasion. The programme was presided over by Daphishisha Kharhujon, the Campus Lead of Avenues.