TURA, April 24: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, has once again banked on the youths to drive the future of the state. While stressing on the need to mould and channelise the youths in the right direction, Conrad said that the state government is making various investments in the education sector.
Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of the new building of Mount Sinai Secondary School, Tura, the chief minister said that there are about 2,000 government lower primary (LP) schools in the state without proper infrastructure and basic facilities and, therefore, the government is trying to take up these schools in a phased manner and ensure that new buildings come up for which an amount of Rs 400 crore has been sanctioned in this financial year, adding that about 800 LP schools will be included in this project funded by the state government.
The new building of Mount Sinai Secondary School was constructed under ‘Supporting Human Capital Development Project in Meghalaya (SHCDPM)’ funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).
It may be mentioned that SHCDPM focuses on improvement of secondary education, infrastructure and skill development. Under this project, scores of government-aided secondary and higher secondary schools in the state have been upgraded with the kind of infrastructure to improve the overall learning environment for the students in the region.
Moreover, the chief minister informed that new buildings for Baghmara, Williamnagar, Rongjeng, Patharkmah and Sohra colleges have also been sanctioned with an amount of Rs 10 crore for infrastructure development.
Referring to the challenges faced with regard to the pass percentage in Garo Hills region and huge gap created between higher and higher & technical education, the chief minister said that even though the students pass the SSLC examinations, as many as one half of the students do not make it to higher education.
Therefore, everyone including teachers, students, parents, concerned officials, etc should realise their part in imparting quality and value education and also to create a change in the system in order to make them responsible citizens and play a constructive role in their future career, he added.
With regard to the ‘One Talent, One Skill’ youth policy, Conrad said that there are many talented youths in the region and they would be groomed by professionals and be provided with opportunity to learn the skill and at the same time follow their passion. He added that even schools can become a service provider by providing different skills to the students.
He said informed that the government is promoting entrepreneurship in the region by roping in private sectors and making them part of this process to make them job creators and not job seekers in the region.
He also spoke about other schemes that are being implemented in the region including the state-of-the-art auditorium and football stadium in Dakopgre, Tribal research Centre in Chidekgre, Tourism Centre in Daribokgre on the foothills of Nokrek Range, beautification of main junctions and roads of Tura Town besides others.
It may be mentioned that Mount Sinai Secondary School was established in 1971 and has been catering to the students from the locality including other parts of the region.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, Rev. Frithing D Sangma, Pastor, Hawakhana Baptist Church, District School and Education Officer, Tura Illa Begum, Secretary, SMC Mt Sinai Sec School, LK Marak, Headmistress, Mount Sinai Secondary School, Binaroy D Shira, Jobilline D Shira were among others who spoke at the inaugural function.
The programme was also attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, WGH, CN Sangma, officials of various departments, locals besides students and staff of the school.
The chief minister later held a review meeting on COVID-19 and water issues with concerned line departments at Tura Circuit House.
