Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 182/12

CM INAUGURATES TURA TOWN HS SCHOOL CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Shillong 26th May: It was a red letter day for the students, teachers and alumni of Tura Town Higher Secondary School, as the school celebrated its completion of 100 years in the service of imparting education in an impressive ceremony held today at Tura Natya Samiti which was attended by the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma.

It may be mentioned that since its establishment in the year 1912 the school has come a long way producing many successful students. The institution started its up gradation in1959 with classes VII and VIII proceeding to class XI the subsequent years. It was brought under the deficit system by the government of Meghalaya in 1976. Today the school has been upgraded to Higher Secondary level.

Speaking at the occasion Rt. Principal Mr. S.S. Bhattacharjee said, “When we started this school there was only around 8000 population in Tura and the number of students was also very less”. He also added that there were few teachers in the beginning and inadequate class rooms which would be partitioned with curtains. Present at the celebrations as the Guest of Honor, Dr Milton M Sangma, Pro Vice Chancellor, ICFAI, mentioned that two significant events took place in Garo Hills hundred years ago the first being that Garo Hills produced its first matriculate in the person of Jimison S Sangma and the second being the establishment of Tura Town High School. He added that the establishment of the school was significant as it was the second school that was set up in Garo Hills. Expressing concern at the dismal performance of Garo Hills in the recently declared SSLC and HSSLC examinations he cautioned everyone that a feeling of complacency is dangerous. He highlighted a number of problems plaguing the education system and appealed to all to take these problems seriously.

Dr Mukul M Sangma, gracing the centennial celebrations as the Chief Guest, said that such institutions have come up due to the presence of some people who come up with the concept of sharing knowledge. He expressed his deep appreciation to the founding members of the institution. He said that problems of education need collective engagement since education is a social sector. Perturbed over the performance of students of Garo Hills in the SSLC examinations, he said that it is important to rectify the serious deficiency at the elementary level.

He cautioned that the teaching profession should not be chosen by default but by choice. The Chief Minister also added that the issue of paucity of trained and qualified teachers in the state is also being addressed with the government’s initiative of setting up training centers. He urged the parents and teachers to jointly share the educational responsibility. While extending his wishes to the school he hoped the celebrations would infuse in all a sense of dedication and commitment.

The function was also attended by Zenith Sangma, Co Chairman, State Planning Board, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura, Pravin Bakshi, Billykid Sangma former MLA, principals, academicians, senior citizens, alumni and students of the school. The two toppers at the SSLC examinations this year were felicitated at the function.

Press Release No. 183/12

CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF SOCIAL WELFARE OF NE TO BE HELD

Shillong, May 26, 2012: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is holding a conference of Social Welfare Ministers of North Eastern States on 29th May, 2012 at Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong.

The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Mr. Mukul Wasnik, union Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Vincent Pala, Union Minister of DoNER, MR. Paban Singh Ghatowar and Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Ms. Agatha Sangma will be attending the conference.

The Conference will discuss on issues of disabilities, programme for senior citizens and victims of substance abuse and also the development of SCs & OBCs.