From Biplab Kr Dey
AMPATI, Nov 15: Over the past few months, the poor quality of primary and middle school education has been repeatedly highlighted through reports in The Shillong Times, with virtually no action taken by the state government to address the situation.
Garo Hills has long suffered from inadequate infrastructure that has crippled the education system at the primary and middle levels, a problem that has persisted for generations. This week, we bring you more schools that reflect this neglect in stark terms, focusing on educational institutions in South West Garo Hills (SWGH) that have been left behind by an education system that claims ‘education’ is a top priority—but is it?
Noonmati Gofrai Adhoc UP School
Further into the interiors of SWGH lies another school bearing the brunt of nature’s fury and struggling to function.
The Noonmati Gofrai UP School, established in 1992, has been serving a largely Hajong-populated village by providing middle-level education. The school has four teachers catering to 26 students.
According to headmaster Martin Hajong, the school lost most of its roof in a cyclonic storm in 2022 and has since struggled to bring children back to school.
“There are 7 LP schools around our UP school which would mean that we would be the first choice in continuing their education. However, one look at our school and parents and teachers just turn away and seek education elsewhere,” he said.
The school falls under the Mahendraganj constituency in SWGH, represented by NPP MLA Sanjay A Sangma.
Being an ad-hoc school has been one of its biggest challenges, as it receives nothing from the state except grants for teachers’ salaries.
Interestingly, the school also serves as a polling station for the constituency. Frustrated teachers have stated that they will not cooperate with the administration unless the school is repaired.
“How are we supposed to get enrolment into our school with all rooms being affected by missing roofs? We are struggling to even save important documents and books that the children need. Rainy day holidays are the norm, and there is really not much we can do in the face of an open roof and rainfall. As an educator, can there be anything more frustrating?” asked Hajong.
He said they have sought help from every possible authority but to no avail. The government, he added, appears indifferent because the school is an ad-hoc institution.
The school once had more than 50 students every year, and the campus was lively. But ever since the roof was destroyed, enrolment has steadily declined.
“We have approached everyone from the DSEO to the Deputy Commissioner and even our local MLA, Sanjay Sangma. He promised us in 2023 to help repair the school the next year, and then again when we approached him, he again said it would be taken up the next year. It’s been so frustrating for us all, and we have no idea where the next help will come from,” said another teacher.
The school was initially set up by late Purno A Sangma, father of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in 1992 through a government initiative.
“There are no funds available to us at all. We have to manage everything on our own, be it buying chalk, benches or even printed material. All of it has to be paid from our own pockets,” the teacher lamented.
“We are doing our best in imparting education to children but the support that should have been there is never given to us despite the government itself setting up the school in our village. When we approach the district’s education department, the only thing we hear is that there are no funds for us at all. Even the toilet that was made recently is shoddy and already cracking up,” added another teacher.
The teachers now hope that someone will take up the cause of education for their school and undo the damage caused over the last three years—the sooner, the better.
Mekdual Adinggre Government LP and Non-Government LP Schools
The two schools, located within the same compound, presented a sight that could dishearten even the most optimistic person.
During the visit, no one was present in the compound as the non-government school operates from 7 am to 11 am. However, as informed by locals, the school holds classes in just one room, which also has a missing roof.
The government LP school, on the other hand, resembled a cowshed, appearing completely abandoned. When questioned, a source from the education department stated that the school was indeed active and possibly being shifted to a nearby location. On a positive note, the source added that funds had been released for its reconstruction and work should begin soon.
The school compound is currently being used by JJM contractors to store materials.
