Education is one of the most important segment for overall development: Rakkam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 13, 2024

Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Thursday chaired a high level consultative meeting of the Meghalaya State Education Commission (MeSEC) with the Principals of secondary and higher secondary schools, colleges, teacher associations and district school education officers of Garo Hills region.

Adviser to the education department Shangpliang, Chairperson, MeSEC Professor S M Sungoh, Adviser and Former UPSC Chairman, David R Syiemlieh,  Secretary, Education Department, Ambrose Ch Marak, Executive Chairman, Meghalaya Board of School Education, Tura C P Marak, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District Jagdish Chelani and other distinguished dignitaries were present at the meeting.

During the consultative meeting, the Education Minister Rakkam Sangma initiated the discussion by highlighting the objective of the consultative meeting stating that this meeting is necessary and held to understand the various challenges faced in the education system in the region and present their view and opinions so as how to improve these challenges and thereby submit the recommendations to the government.

Stating the aspirations of the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, he said that the Chief Minister aspires the State of Meghalaya to be one among the top ten State in the country, adding that education is one of the most important segment for overall development and once education goes on right track others will follow in all fields and achieve success, he said.

Further, he also urged the Deputy Commissioners and Education Officials to inspect the schools every now and then in order to oversee the functioning of the schools in their respective districts.

Advisor to the Education Department Himalaya Shangpliang informed that the Meghalaya State Education Commission had come all the way from Shillong to Garo Hills to listen to the challenges faced in the respective schools, understand the ground reality and give their suggestions so as how to improve the system of education in the region.

Secretary, Mothers Union and an Educationist Sume B Sangma who also runs a morning school for domestic workers had informed that her students come from all corners of Garo Hills and beyond and summed up that their condition is deplorable since the students can merely read and write the basics of education. As per the conversations with her students, she found out that most of them come from single teacher schools who teach five classes at a time where the outcome seems to be less.

She also mentioned other challenges such as language barrier, late supply of textbooks, etc.

Meanwhile, the Principal, St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Tura Rev. Father Thomas John stated that things have changed comparatively from earlier times as most of the parents depend on the institution for their studies, mentality of the students have changed a lot due to addiction to mobile phones and social media and hence lose concentration in their studies among others. Moreover, he mentioned reviewing the examination pattern of Meghalaya Board of School Education and also to review the Best of five subjects.

Chairperson, MeSEC Professor S M Sungoh, Adviser and Former UPSC Chairman, David R Syiemlieh, Secretary, Education Department, Ambrose Ch Marak, Executive Chairman, Meghalaya Board of School Education, Tura C P Marak, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District Jagdish Chelani were among others who spoke during the consultative meeting.