NONGPOH, Nov 20: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, on Friday, inaugurated the new building of Nongtluh Higher Secondary School in Diwon, Ri Bhoi. The minister along with other officials also attended the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Eklavya Model Residential School at Pahamsyiem village, Nongpoh.
Speaking as the chief guest of the inauguration function at Diwon, Rymbui informed the gathering that the state government has decided to permit schools in the state, particularly those in rural areas to start regular classes for Classes IX to XII from November 30 in strict compliance with the SOPs and guidelines of the government.
Stating that the government has taken the education sector as top priority, he informed that emphasis is laid on the need to improve the educational scenario across Meghalaya with good infrastructure, trained teachers as well as good policies and sought the cooperation of the citizens.
The new building, constructed under Supporting Human Capital Development and funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Rs 2.36 crore, includes smart classroom, laboratory, library, staff and principal’s room, besides other basic features.
Meanwhile, at the NSCA Stadium Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh, DP Wahlang, Principal Secretary of Education department, in his address, said that the Eklavya Model Residential School is the flagship programme of the Centre for tribal people, while adding that this is the first-of-its-kind school in Meghalaya and 39 more will be established in the days to come. The scheme has been sanctioned for Rs 16 crore by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the year 2017-18.
The model school will include the administrative building, classrooms, quarters, two hostels for boys and girls while one hostel will have 55 rooms. The school will be accessible to people for Class VI up to Class XII free of cost.
He also informed that the government will start the construction soon with the target of completing it by 2022.
Rymbui, in his address, informed that there are 40 EMRS, 19 residential schools and eight model schools in the state. He informed that Ri Bhoi will have four EMRS.
Around 4,000 teachers have been trained, he added.
He also expressed gratitude to the landowners, Dorbar Shnong Pahamsyiem and the Dorbar Raid for donating 10 acres of land for construction of the school building.