Mawkyrwat: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday said that the Education Department is working under constraint and that the government did not want to commit anything which cannot be implemented, even as he ruled out the demand of setting up a government higher secondary school and college in Ranikor.
Speaking as the chief guest during a symposium on the theme ‘Importance of Education and its value’ in Ranikor, Rymbui said, “The government especially the Education Department is in a difficult situation. We are working under constraint. So many teachers here from SSA schools did not their salaries for the last four or five months and were deprived of their own rights. But we are working on how to fulfill our obligation. We are trying to think about other issues as well as on how to uplift education in the state”.
Speaking about the memorandum submitted by the Ranikor Constituency Development Committee (RCDC) which demanded the setting up of a government higher secondary school and college, Rymbui said that it is very difficult for the government to commit to something which it cannot implement.
“To setup one college with one stream, it will cost around Rs 2.50 crore per annum. We have decided to set up community colleges in different parts of the state including one in Mawkyrwat. But even after a year and a half, we have not been able to start. Having said that, it does not mean that we have forgotten, but we are trying to work things outl,” Rymbui said.
“We cannot commit without being able to implement. Any decision that we take, we should be able to implement and should benefit the people. Therefore, I cannot promise you anything and I will not say anything about the memorandum, but regarding the college right now we are not able to do anything. We have promised and we will try to keep them,” he added.
Rymbui also informed that there are twenty residential schools in the state including one in Nongkalong and that all are yet to be completed.
“However with the coming of the Ekelavia Model Residential Schools, the Centre has decided to set up 30 schools in Meghalaya,” Rymbui said.
“If this comes true, the government will set up many such schools in rural areas like Ranikor,” he added.
Rymbui also urged the people of Ranikor to cooperate with the government in developing the area as he said that the Ranikor Civil Sub-Division will take time to develop.
“Rome was not built in one day,” he said.
A felicitation ceremony for meritorious students was also held during the programme in which Rymbui requested the students to work hard and aim high so that they can achieve their goals in life.
Students from 26 schools from Ranikor Civil Sub-Division participated in the symposium 2019.
Resource persons for the programme included Streamlet Dkhar and Jemino Mawthoh. Around 27 students received the meritorious award during the programme with Jingaiti Secondary School, Nonghyllam winning the best schools award.
Others who spoke included local MLA Pius Marwein and South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo.
