Shillong, Sept 12: The Pynthorumkhrah Presbyterian Secondary School concluded its quasquicentennial (125th anniversary) celebrations with a function held at the school premises here on Tuesday.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong graced the occasion as the chief guest while KHADC CEM, Pyniaid Sing Syiem was the guest of honour.
Shillong MP, Vincent H. Pala, Cabinet Minister and local MLA, Alexander Laloo Hek and Deputy CEM and local MDC, Pynshngain N. Syiem were also present as the special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Tynsong lauded the school that has produced so many prominent citizens who have excelled in various fields.
He urged upon the school managing committee to work harder to ensure that school scales new heights in days to come.
At the same time, Deputy Chief Minister also announced that the state government would sanction Rs 20 lakh for the Higher Secondary section of the school.
Meanwhile, KHADC CEM said that the Christian Missionaries have made tremendous contributions toward development of education in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
He also mentioned that Khasi alphabet was invaluable contribution of the Welsh Missionary, Thomas Jones.
Syiem also announced that the council would sanction an amount of Rs 25 lakh through the 15th Finance Commission for extension of the building of the school.
It may be mentioned that the decision to set up the school was taken during the first meeting of the Mawkhar Sub District held on January 28 & 29, 1950 at Mawkhar Presbyterian Church.
In this meeting, the first Managing Committee of the School was also constituted comprising of the following members namely- Messrs H.S. Jyrwa (Convener), H. Philip, S. Marbaniang, Moshondro and Mrs. L. Shullai.
Prior to the year 1960, only one teacher was engaged in the school, and later additional teachers were appointed, according to the requirement of the school. In the past years the Church rendered free education to the students.
It was from 1st January, 1960 that students were asked to pay a nominal fee as follows:- Classes Nursery, A & B @ 0.25 Paise p/a ;Classes I, II, II @ 0.50 Paise p/a.
In 1962 due to the increase in number of students, one room on the left flank of the building was extended. The number of students enrolled in the year 1963 was 58 boys and 48 girls, a total of 106.
The further increase in students’ strength hailing from the adjacent areas made it difficult to accommodate all the students in a limited space. The situation compelled the Sub District Education Committee in 1964 to make an appeal to the Mawkhar Sub District to grant financial assistance to acquire land for the school expansion.
The Sub District on its part responded to the need and acquired a plot of land (the present site of the school) measuring 15,336 sq. ft approximately at a cost of ₹18,000/-from the owner (L) Mrs. Bettymai Rumnong.
In the same year, the construction of an Assam Type School building in the new plot of land, was started in a phase wise manner. In the year 1966, when one classroom was completed, the school was upgraded to the Middle English School Section, beginning with class IV, having 9 students.
The Government granted Opening Permission to the School for Class VIII in the year 2000 and accorded ex-post-facto Opening Permission for Class IX and X on the 27th March 2007. Provisional recognition came into effect from 24th April, 2009 followed by full fledged recognition from the Meghalaya Board of School Education vide Notification No.89 dated Tura, the 19th June, 2015.