Tura, Oct 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday inaugurated the new building of Bajengdoba Higher Secondary School in North Garo Hills in presence of Deputy Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Timothy D. Shira, MLA of Bajengdoba Pongseng Marak and MLA of Kharkutta Rupert Momin.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister lauded the effort of stakeholders for their concerted effort to better the educational facilities in the district. Informing that education has been accorded top priority by the MDA government, the Chief Minister remarked that committed effort is being made by the government to improve infrastructure and learning facilities in Schools across Meghalaya.
Lamenting on the lack of basic amenities in majority of elementary schools especially in rural areas including electricity and water connection, the Chief Minister informed that government has mobilized funds close to Rs. 500 cr from different funding agencies in addition to its own resources to renovate and upgrade infrastructure facilities in LP Schools across the State.
“Improved facilities in educational institutions will create an enabling environment for students and teachers alike,” remarked Conrad K. Sangma.
The new school building of the Bajengdoba Higher secondary school is funded through the Supporting Human Capital Development Project in Meghalaya, a project of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The new school building is equipped with new age teaching and learning tools and houses a computer lab and two smart classrooms for innovative learning.
On the occasion, he also said that Govt is working to improve the health infrastructure in the State and has earmarked 350 cr for upgradation of PHCs, CHCs, and other health care facilities across the State.
“There was an urgent need to improve health care facilities as the majority of the health care centres do not have adequate facilities, including accommodation for doctors, and paramedical staffs. In a phase wise manner the government will use the earmarked funds to ensure better health care services for its people,” the Chief Minister added.
He also informed that the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India has sanctioned 4000 cr to ensure that water reaches every household in the State. He said that currently work is under progress and through the Jal Jeevan Mission, Govt will ensure pipe water connection to every household in the State. He said that around 6 lakh plus households will benefit from the schemes across rural Meghalaya.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Timothy D. Shira urged Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to provincialize the oldest College in North Garo Hills – the Medipathar College. He said that it was the second college to be established in the late 1970s and deserves to be given its due recognition. He expressed that upgrading college to provincialization is an herculean task, however, since it is the only degree college in the District Govt should consider it. He also raised various developmental concerns of the district including road connectivity and bridges that are to be made which will ensure easy communication within the district.
