JOWAI: Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo on Thursday expressed concern over the low literacy rate in Jaintia Hills and urged all stakeholders to work in tandem for improvement.
Speaking at a programme on World Literacy Day on Thursday, Laloo said, “I am really ashamed of my home district.” Literacy rate in Jaintia Hills is 61.64%.
Laloo urged everyone to work hand in hand with the government to “determine that next year there is a substantial improvement in literacy rate in the district”.
“I hope next year West Jaintia Hills will have the highest literacy rate,” he added.
The programme was organised by the office of the District Mission Coordinator, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, in collaboration with the office of the State Project at Tpep-Pale Community Hall in Jowai.
D.P Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary, Education Department, and State Mission Director of SSA, West Jaintia Hills DC Arun Kumar Kembhavi and JHADC Deputy Chief Andrew Shullai also attended the function.
A. Ch Marak, State Project Director, SEMAN (SSA) and Director of School Education and Literacy, said more than 2,000 dropouts have been enrolled in a special training centre for 2016-2017.
Award to SSA teachers
SSA school teachers were also awarded on the occasion of World Literacy Day for their contribution to quality education in their respective areas.
