Bernard seek education minister’s intervention into grievances faced by students of Rongara-Siju constituency

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 11, 2024

BJP Tura MDC Bernard N Marak on Sunday sought the intervention of the education minister Rakkam A Sangma into the grievances faced by the students of his Rongara-Siju constituency.

In a letter to Sangma, Marak said that he had visited the minister’s constituency last week and have learnt from the people that most of the government schools are in a very pathetic condition. 

He said most schools are functioning without a roof. There is no proper sanitation nor drinkable water supplies to the students adding that the schools does not have doors, blackboards and benches and most of the time the goats house the schools. 

Marak also informed that the students of the area complained about the hardship they faced during rainy seasons as the hanging bridges which was their lifeline were all washed away during 2022 flood. 

“These bridges were not repaired till date which has caused immense difficulty to the students of the area during rainy seasons,” he said while adding “People lamented that such negligence will claim life of the students who are compelled to swim across these rivers risking their life to reach school or simply miss school during rainy days.”

Stating that education in rural areas stand compromised, Marak said, “I would like to point out that even the rice supplied to the students through PM Poshan midday meal is sub standard in some schools which is a serious concern.” 

“I would like to request you to monitor and do the needful to enhance the facilities for the students as well as the teachers. I would also request you to clear the teacher’s salaries in time. This would benefit the students of the State and the government schools would rise to a considerable standard,” he added. 

Further, the MDC alleged that the scholarship woes of the students are not resolved till date and requested the minister to constitute a committee to look into the matter and to help the students to avail the scholarship at the earliest as this financial assistance through scholarship is meant for the poor tribal students to assist them financially in the college expenses. 

“Lastly, I was informed that the new text book printing contract was given to a party which does not have a publishing house. If this is true, I would like to hear your justification in written as to me, education cannot be compromised any further,” he added.