By Our Reporter
Shillong: In an effort to strengthen the youth of the state via the much-awaited State Youth Policy, the FKJGP Central body has recently submitted its suggestions to the Sports and Youth Affairs Department hoping that the draft committee would review the matter by this month.
Stating that youth are the life and soul of the Policy, FKJGP Assistant Education Secretary, Kitbokang Nongphlang said that the Youth Policy would not be effective and practical without feedback and suggestions from the youth.
In their recommendations, the FKJGP has brought to the notice of the government that the state should set up the State Youth Commission in which all the awardees (State and National Level) will be the permanent members.
“We further suggest that within five years, the Department should establish two separate Directorates for Youth Affairs and Sports respectively”, Nongphlang said on Tuesday.
The Federation also laid special emphasis on the date of celebrating the Meghalaya Youth Day suggesting that it should be celebrated on July 17 every year to inculcate the Spirit of Patriotism in remembrance of U Tirot Sing Syiem, a freedom fighter from the State.
It also stressed on the need to cover the youth between the age group of 13-35. “Since this age group is not homogeneous in their issues, needs and concerns, the draft committee should divide the group into three sub-categories in accordance with their needs–13-19 years (Adolescents-Teen age), 20-25 Years (Middle Youth hood) and 26-35 Years (Late Youth hood).
Turning to education, the FKJGP Assistant Education
Secretary said that it is high time that an Education Information Centre (EIC) is established in the State to help disseminate information regarding opportunities available for both school going and school dropout students to help them avail the vocational courses in order to free the youngsters “from the many ills of the society”.
The FKJGP has also asked the Department to review the Meghalaya Youth Policy every five years to keep up with the ever changing lifestyles of the people of the state.
