SHILLONG, Oct 17: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui conducted a surprise inspection at the government-run Pine Mount School on Monday after a section of teachers, parents and former students had staged a protest recently alleging mismanagement.
Sangma and Rymbui were accompanied by Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary BDR Tiwari and other officials of the Education department.
Later, Sangma told reporters he and the others visited the school to see the ground reality as some parents and former students raised concerns over certain issues.
The CM witnessed first-hand the deplorable condition of the toilets, hostel and the field. A decision was taken on the spot for the improvement of infrastructure, including toilets.
“We understand that these are not matters that require the intervention of the Minister and the Chief Minister. But even small matters like this are important to us. The concerns of students are important to us. We will try to do every single thing in order to make things better,” Sangma said.
Stating that the hostel facilities are not up to the mark, he said a lot of things are required to be done. He said a proposal for the development of the school’s infrastructure has been already cleared but the tender processing is taking time.
“I have spoken to the PWD (Building) Minister to see that the tendering process is completed at the earliest,” he said.
He said the government wants the construction of the new hostel building to start early and in the meanwhile, temporary arrangements will be made for the inmates of the hostel.
“We will take a call in the next few days on how we can temporarily accommodate the children, who are in the hostel, in temporary facilities around the campus,” the CM said.
He said the unused auditorium will be put to better use and the condition of the playing ground will be improved. He also said that the government will examine other administrative issues, including the requirement of offices for the staff and the principal.
To a query, he said the department will look into the allegation of alleged mismanagement of funds and submit a report.
“But we are not here to look into that aspect. We are here to see a way forward and ensure that we can take steps to improve things at a much faster pace. That’s really what our objective is today,” he said.
The Education department had instituted a probe into the school’s affairs and the CM said it is underway.
On the demand to remove principal Aiom Ksiar Diengdoh, he said action, if any, will be taken after a proper investigation.
Some teachers had demanded Diengdoh’s removal after alleging that she failed to deliver. She, however, said she was a victim of “internal politics”.
