By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 4: The construction of boys’ and girls’ hostel blocks at the Capt. Williamson Sangma Memorial College in Baghmara was completed on June 16.
The North Eastern Council (NEC) funded the project worth ₹1.6666 crore in June 2021.
The NEC stated that the project was undertaken to improve access to higher education for students from remote areas of the district.
It further stated that the newly constructed hostels are intended to accommodate students from the economically weaker sections, thereby removing a key barrier to pursuing higher education.
“This initiative reflects the NEC’s continued commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure and promoting equitable access to quality education, particularly for underserved and vulnerable communities in Meghalaya,” the council said.
The upgrading of the selected Ramakrishna Mission schools in East Khasi Hills (Mawsynram/Shella-Bholaganj) and South West Khasi Hills (Ranikor) was also completed recently.
The NEC stated that the project, sanctioned on December 22, 2020, at an estimated cost of ₹4.2997 crore, had an objective similar to that of the Baghmara school.
It said the focus was on strengthening school infrastructure to address the high dropout rates and limited access to non-commercial higher secondary education in these rural blocks.
“With the completion of this project, the total student enrolment is expected to increase by approximately 45.2%, enabling 523 students from BPL (below poverty line) families to access higher secondary education annually,” the NEC stated.
According to the NEC, this initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing literacy and educational opportunities in the region.
