SHILLONG: Senior Congress leader and Mawryngkneng MLA, David Nongrum, has asked state government to dole out some funds as assistance to the COVID-hit missionary schools in rural areas of the state.
Speaking to media persons, Nongrum highlighted the suffering of the schools as an after-effect of the lockdown. He emphasised that the agenda behind reopening of churches is not just about the spiritual needs but also monetary as a number of churches in the state, especially in the rural area, depend on offerings from the faithful so as to run their missionary schools.
“Almost all denominations (Christian) have their missionary schools in rural areas of the state because it is impossible for the state government to set up schools in each and every village,” Nongrum said, while adding that the missionaries, owing to the lockdown, have not been able to pay remuneration to the teachers because they depend on offerings.
“Over the period of months in the midst of pandemic, these schools have suffered a lot and the teachers were paid only 20-30 per cent of their salary while some have not been paid at all. Hence, I believe that we should have allowed opening of the churches from the beginning,” the legislator said.
ASHAs, Anganwadi
On the other hand, the Mawryngkneng MLA has also asked the state government to increase the honorarium and daily wage of the ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
“They are the frontliners but are being paid only Rs 300 per day including the transportation expenditure. The amount is meagre for someone with a family to look after,” he said.
