Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 146/06

CM INAUGURATES MAWPHLANG JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA (JNV)

The foundation stone for the school complex of the seventh Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in the State of Meghalaya is laid today by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D D Lapang at Mawphlang, East Khasi Hills District in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Donkupar Roy, the local MLA of the area, Mr J A Lyngdoh and the Chief Secretary, Mr P J Bazeley. The meeting was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Mr D P Wahlang.

According to the National Policy on Education 1986, it provides the establishment of a Navodaya in each district of the country. The JNVs envisage identification and development of talented children predominantly from the rural areas who may otherwise be denied good education. The total numbers of JNVs in the country has grown to 516 with over 1.40 lakhs students. In Meghalaya, all the seven districts have been provided with one JNV each including Mawphlang in the East Khasi Hills District which is the seventh.

The main objective of the Navodaya Vidyalayas is to provide good quality modern education including strong component of culture, inculcation of values, and awareness of environment, to ensure students attain a reasonable level of competency in three languages, first language-Regional language, second language-English and third language-Hindi for non-hindi speaking areas. To promote National Integration through Migration of students from Hindi to non-Hindi speaking State and vice versa. To serve in each district as focal point for improvement of quality of school education in general and to be a model school in the district and resource centres for the promotion of academic excellence.

The JNV Mawphlang was established in October 2005 and presently functioning in a temporary site given by the Block Development Officer and Hima Mawphlang. It is a co-educational residential school established with the objective to promote National Integration in action through the policy of Migration and Mini Migration and provide modern, quality education to talented students predominantly drawn from rural areas and admitted through a selection test and to work as pace setting institution to achieve the objective of excellence in school education. The total student strength at present is 78. The school is also affiliated to the Central Board of School Education (CBSE), New Delhi.

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D D Lapang while speaking at the function held to mark the laying of foundation stone of the JNV at Mawphlang lauded the Hima Mawphlang for having donated the land for setting up of the school. He said that the establishment of the school is a landmark in the road map of Educational Institutions in the State of Meghalaya. He said that the school should fulfill the aspirations of the people by imparting holistic education to the students. He hopes that the institution will produce responsible citizens and leaders in the State. He also appeals to the teachers to dedicate themselves in their task of educating the students.

Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Donkupar Roy in his brief speech the setting up of the JNVs would serve the students especially from the rural areas to get modern, quality education. He hopes that the school will be a model school for the District. He said that in the State of Meghalaya which is a non-Hindi speaking State, the JNVs will be of great importance as it also has Hindi as one of the main subjects in its curriculum. He also appeals to the people of the area to ensure safety and security to the teachers and students of the school.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were, local MLA of the area, Mr J A Lyngdoh and Chief Secretary, Mr P J Bazeley. Mr T Lyngdoh, Secretary Hima Mawphlang delivered the welcome address while Mr D Hazarika, Deputy Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, R.O. Shillong gave the vote of thanks. Later, Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D D Lapang unveiled a plaque to mark the laying of the foundation stone of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, East Khasi Hills, Mawphlang.