Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 813/06

NORTHEAST STATES EDUCATION MINISTERS CONFERENCE HELD

With the aim of sharing common concerns relating to the education scenario in the Northeast, particularly the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme, Education ministers of almost all the north eastern states were in attendance to participate in a one day Northeast States Education Ministers Conference, which was held today at Pinewood Hotel, Shillong. The programme was organized by the Education Department, Government of Meghalaya.

Delivering the introductory address, Dr. Lallthangliana, Minister of School Education, Government of Mizoram and Chairman of the Northeast Education Ministers Committee (NEEMC), informed that NEEMC was formed in the year 2002 and its was on the behest of the Committee that the Central Government agreed to a fund sharing pattern of 75:15:10 among the Central Government, DONER and the respective State Government for the SSA scheme. However, as the present funding pattern is applicable only for the 10th Plan, the Northeastern states face the threat of having to discontinue the SSA scheme, if the same funding pattern is not continued in the 11th Plan. Due to the incompatibility of various financial and physical norms prescribed by the Central Government with the ground realities prevailing in the North East, Dr. Lallthangliana stressed on the importance of amending certain SSA norms. He further added that matters relating to the Right to Education Bill, teachers education, universalisation of secondary education etc were issues that will figure prominently in the one day Conference.

Besides the Education ministers, a team of officers from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, led by Mrs. Purnima Gupta, Financial Advisor to the Government of India also attended the meeting.

Press Release No. 814/06

HOLIDAY DECLARED

The Commissioner & Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, General Administration Department has informed that state government offices and all magisterial courts and educational institution in East Khasi Hills shall be closed on Friday the 3rd November, 200 on account of Nongkrem Dance.