Shillong, Oct 17: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma along with Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Monday made a surprise inspection of the Pine Mount School, situated adjacent to Lady Hydari Park at Barik Point, at the centre of Shillong City.
Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary for Education BK Tiwari also accompanied in the inspection.
The inspection comes at a time when the school has made headlines for poor management and dilapidated infrastructure like unhygienic toilets, auditorium and school field among others.
Sangma said they felt the need to make a site visit after parents raised concerns about various issues on such a premier institute of the state.
With concerns raised by students, parents & the public on the issues in Pine Mount School, Shillong, I personally went to inspect the School with @LahkmenR and spoke to the administration & the students to get a better perspective on what needs to be done@dpradhanbjp pic.twitter.com/bW3PS8l5r6
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 17, 2022
“Coming and seeing things for ourselves would give us a better understanding and we have seen there are concerns about the amenities like the toilet. We have taken a spot decision that whatever repair and infrastructure work of the toilet and others that requires will be done,” he said after the inspection.
Informing that the hostel facilities are not up to the mark, the CM also directed the concerned department(s) to ensure that the construction work of new hostel building starts before the next academic year begins.
Temporary arrangements for the students who are in the hostel and multiple options are also being looked at, he added.
He further informed that the auditorium, which is unused, can be put to better use; therefore its repair has also been ordered.
Other administrative requirements like offices for staff and Principal will also be examined.
We will look into the different concerns to ensure we reform this premier institution that has been a pride of Shillong and Meghalaya for generations. pic.twitter.com/JU4Sc8CJQf
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 17, 2022
“Have spoken to Department to ensure the construction of the new hostel building is taken up before the next academic year starts. Other administrative requirements like offices for staff and the Principal will also be examined… We will look into the different concerns to ensure we reform this premier institution that has been the pride of Shillong and Meghalaya for generations,” he said.