Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 480/08

EDUCATION WILL BE ACCORDED TOP PRIORITY BY GOVERNMENT

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Donkupar Roy has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Lyngngam Presbyterian Higher Secondary School at Mawthengkut village, West Khasi Hills District on December 4, 2008 in the presence of Education Minister, Mr Manas Chaudhuri and Taxation Minister, Mr J A Lyngdoh.

It may be mentioned that Lyngngam Presbyterian Higher Secondary School was established in 1963 by the Presbyterian Church and will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee in 2013 and the construction of the building is expected to be completed before that time. The school is one of the few educational institutions in the area which provides Higher Secondary education.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Donkupar Roy said that the Government acknowledges the contributions made by the missionaries towards promoting education in the State. He expresses hope that their efforts will continue so as to augment the efforts of the Government in realizing the quality educational needs of the people of the State.

Dr Roy said that there is a need to have deficit schools in the rural areas and also Government colleges in all the districts of the State. He informed that in the first phase of implementation, Government colleges will be set up at Baghmara, Williamnagar and Sohra. Dr Roy informed that from the year 2009, Education will be accorded top most priority by the Government followed by other developmental sectors. He also informed that 20 to 25 schools have been selected by the Government for providing building grant and also adhoc grant will also be considered to some schools.

While expressing his concern on the high drop out rate in the State, Dr Roy urges upon the parents to ensure that their children are encouraged to go to school. He said that in the rural areas male children are usually taken out of school by their own parents to make them work in the fields to supplement their earnings. Parents should ensure that both male and female children are not deprived of Education, he stressed.

Education Minister, Mr Manas Chaudhuri in his speech informed that the Government is actively making all out efforts to develop the education sector in the State. He said that by 2009 development of Education will be given the first priority by the Government and Education Department’s budget would also be enhanced suitably to develop the educational facilities in the State. He said that at present 90 p.c. of the department’s budget is spent on salary to the teachers and only 10 p.c. is left for developmental works. This would be enhanced so that more amount could be earmarked for the development of education in the State, he added. He also informed that by 2009, the Education Policy of the State would be implemented.

Among others who spoke were Taxation Minister, Mr J A Lyngdoh, Rev B K Shangpliang and Rev H B Lyngkhoi.