NONGSTOIN: Nongjyndiang, a beautiful hamlet located 13 km away from Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills is deprived of basic educational facilities.
Around 22 households live in the village that has only a basic school, Persara LP & UP School, run by the villagers in a thatched straw house since 2003.
Two teachers, who have been teaching voluntarily in the school, survive on a meagre contribution of Rs 800 per month made by the villagers besides support from Fr. Tom Joseph of Mawlangdep Parish.
They teach the local children up to the fifth standard in a so called classroom which is also used for prayer services and other social gatherings.
The children from the village have no option but to forsake their education once they are through with the fifth standard.
“Villagers become very emotional when faced with any question relating to their children’s future,” said a resident.
Secretary of Nongjyndiang Village, K Wanniang told The Shillong Times that children who have passed class V have to go outside for further study causing innumerable hardship for those who come from poor families.
“Many have to forego education and think of their future in a different light,” he added.
Wanniang also said that the school managing committee has sought financial help from the education department on numerous occasions but to no avail.
Though the Education department claims to spend hefty sums to reduce the dropout rate, neglect of the village located only 13 km from the District Head Quarter mars the entire cause.
Meanwhile, members of the KSU, Nongstoin Circle during a visit to the school on Monday assured the school authorities to take up their cause with the government. The KSU also donated CGI sheets and wooden planks for the construction of a temporary school.
