By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 13: Education Minister Rakkam Sangma on Wednesday speaking to media persons attributed the lack of awareness among parents, students, and teachers as the primary factor behind the apparent lack of interest in the Sustainable Transport and Efficient Mobility Society (STEMS).
This revelation follows Sangma’s earlier remarks about potentially deploying STEMS buses to other districts if there are no takers in Shillong.
STEMS was initiated as a pilot project by the state government with the intention of decongesting Shillong city and providing a safe means of transportation for school children.
Allegedly, government officials have reportedly shown reluctance in utilizing STEMS services to transport their own children to school. Responding to this, the education minister jokingly said that he had only recently become convinced of the buses’ merits, highlighting their GPS system and CCTV cameras. Sangma acknowledged that it may take time for parents to embrace this innovative concept, especially those who have reservations about the safety and security of their children. He emphasized that the government is looking forward to the next academic session to potentially gain wider acceptance.
Addressing allegations of exorbitant fees charged by the buses as a deterrent for parents, Sangma expressed a lack of awareness about the matter but said that we would look into it.
