From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Sep 27: More than 4,000 dropout schoolchildren in Ri-Bhoi district registered themselves in Out of School Centres across the district since 2022.
In the year 2022-23, around 2297 such children enrolled for re-schooling while, 2023-24 has so far seen 2,017 registrations.
As many as 71 Out of School Centres operate in Ri-Bhoi covering all four blocks of the district.
This was discerned during a district enrolment-cum-awareness programme held at Mawbri Bhoirymbong on Wednesday, as part of the commemoration of the World Literacy Day 202.
The programme, organised by the District Mission Coordinator of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Ri-Bhoi, was thematised on ‘Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for a sustainable and peaceful society’.
Local MDC Rangkynsai Kharbukhi was chief guest of the occasion who was accompanied by the State Coordinator for Out of School Centre (OOSC), SSA, SEMAM Meghalaya, C Wankhar, and District Mission Coordinator, V Nianglang, among others.
The programme commenced with a colourful march participated by students from different schools in the area, along with out-of-school children from various centres in Bhoirymbong Block.
The march started from Raid Iapngar School and concluded at Mawbri Parish Hall. Other attendees of the event included Fathers and Sisters from Mawbri Parish, teachers and students from eight schools, village elders, village organisations, and others.
In her keynote address, State Coordinator, C Wankhar, emphasised on the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights. She stated that this event aimed to create awareness among communities about the vital role of literacy in building more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies, as sustainable development cannot be achieved without learning, and learning cannot happen without literacy.
MDC Rangkynsai Kharbukhi praised the District Mission Coordinator for their tireless efforts in providing education to dropout schoolchildren. He emphasised that education is essential for all citizens, especially in today’s world of scientific and technological advancements.
He appealed to parents to utilise the available opportunities provided by the government for literacy and expressed hope that with the collective efforts of village elders, parents, and teachers, illiteracy can be eradicated from society.
The day concluded with the presentation of awards to the highest-performing centre in terms of helping children join the mainstream, the most enrolled centre, and the best slogan.
The event featured songs, skits, and dances performed by schoolchildren.