Govt to require Rs 300 Cr for repairing of over 2,000 dilapidated schools in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 29, 2022

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Thursday launched the Meghalaya School Upgradation Programme under which 50 lower primary and upper primary schools were upgraded and improved under Phase I of the programme.

Addressing the gathering of students, teachers and officials from the education department, Sangma expressing great happiness in rolling out the programme for the upgradation of school infrastructures said that though at the current stage of the program only 50 schools are being inaugurated the impact of it will be immense and bring important changes in Education.

“There are a large number of schools that require upgradation hence we are moving in a phased manner and this programme will also extend to the secondary and higher secondary schools,” he said.

He further informed that another 100 renovated schools will be inaugurated in November and January.

“We have gone on mission mode and the team that includes the Deputy Commissioners, PWD and other line departments will work in coordination to supervise and monitor so that the target of the first 200 schools is achieved within the specified time,” he added. 

He further stated that as the infrastructures are completed the rankings of the State in Education will also improve.

When asked, the chief minister informed that the government will renovate over 2,000 schools. “We are looking at roughly between Rs 200 to 300 crores in terms of the funds required to complete all the schools,” he said.

Referring to the NIPUN Bharat Mission (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy, launched by the Education Ministry of India under National Education Policy 2022) which was also e-launched by the Chief Minister for the State of Meghalaya, he said that the programme will be working towards building the foundational skills and the mission also will go a long way in improving the overall cognitive capability of children and overall analytical skills.

NIPUN Bharat ensures every child in India gains foundational numeracy and literacy by the end of Grade 3. The goals include good health and well-being of children, to become effective communicators and that they become involved learners and connect with their immediate environment.

Earlier in his speech, Chief Secretary DP Wahlang said in the phase two, we are going to take up 100 LP schools and 11 secondary and higher secondary schools and work will start in the month of November.

“Then phase III, we will take up 1725 schools in four grades – grade 1 only repairs for 117 schools, grade 2 – 761 major repairs, grade 3 – 799 minor repairs, grade 4  – 48 just painting works,” he said adding “We are hoping that in the next one year all these schools will be in good condition and this I am sure will facilitate better instruction and will improve students outcome and reduce the dropout rates we often talk about in the state especially in rural areas.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also administered the NIPUN Bharat Mission Pledge to the gathering during the occasion.