Loompyrdi Iongpiah UPS concludes silver jubilee, eyes expansion to Chyrmang

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 26, 2025

Loompyrdi Iongpiah Upper Primary School, Jowai, concluded its 25th-anniversary celebrations with a grand gathering at Mynkoi Pyrdi, Loompyrdi on Wednesday. The event was graced by Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla as the Chief Guest and Joint Director of School Education, A P. Syiem, as the Guest of Honour.

Established on February 26, 2000, the school started with just 17 students and has since grown, now offering classes from Tiny Tots to Class VIII. It operates from the Iungwalieh of Loompyrdi, Iongpiah Jowai. The school was officially inaugurated by former MLA Singh Mulieh and RA Lyngdoh on February 26, 2000. By 2001, it received a donation of Rs 3,000 per month for its operations. Philemon Lyngdoh, then an MDC, appointed a teacher through the JHADC to support the school’s early growth. In 2004, the school received recognition under SSA through the efforts of TW Blah, which facilitated access to teaching-learning aids. By 2006, additional classrooms were built, and the Midday Meal Scheme was introduced in 2009. In 2007, the school was upgraded, with Minister Singh Mulieh inaugurating the expansion and providing a grant of Rs 6,000 per month for the teachers’ salaries.

The concluding ceremony featured a welcome speech by C. Tympang Laloo and a prayer by Wansalan E. Dhar.

Guest of Honour A.P. Syiem lauded the school for its 25-year journey in serving the community through education. She emphasized that this milestone is not only a celebration of achievements but also a moment for reflection and future planning to enhance the quality of education. She praised the teachers for their dedication and their role in shaping responsible citizens.

Chief Guest Wailadmiki Shylla described the occasion as a memorable day, marking 25 years of the school’s service to the community. He expressed gratitude to the school’s founding members and acknowledged the dedication of teachers and school administrators. Reflecting on his previous invitation to the school’s anniversary, he was pleased to finally be part of the event.

He praised the school’s efforts and stressed the need to strategize for its future development. Regarding the plan to expand the school to Chyrmang Village, he commended the initiative, stating that while the government cannot establish schools everywhere, it encourages communities to take such initiatives to bridge educational gaps. He noted that Chyrmang is an ideal location for a Secondary School, which would help reduce dropout rates and address mid-year school dropouts in the region.

Speaking on broader educational reforms, he pointed out that overcrowding in colleges like Kiang Nangbah Government College, where a single class holds up to 80 students, necessitated the government’s decision to establish a new Government College in East Jaintia Hills and Thomas Jones Synod College has been included under the People’s College scheme. He also highlighted the rationalization of primary schools, stating that Meghalaya currently has 15,000 schools, but some have only 3-4 students enrolled despite having three to four teachers. He emphasized that the government plans to reward high-performing schools while taking corrective actions against underperforming institutions.

H. Toi, President of Seinraij and a founding member of the school, reminisced about its early days, highlighting the challenges faced, including constructing a school building and expanding its nursery and Tiny Tots sections over time. He acknowledged the contributions of past leaders like TW Blah in securing recognition and additional resources for the school. He also recalled the significant role played by Philemon Lyngdoh, who as an MDC, facilitated the appointment of a teacher from JHADC. He further highlighted the turning point in 2007 when Minister Singh Mulieh inaugurated the school’s expansion and sanctioned a grant of Rs 6,000 per month to support teachers’ salaries.

RL Bimee Suwer, the village headman, honoured the past leaders whose efforts made it possible to celebrate this jubilee. He emphasized the importance of securing land and reaffirmed the commitment of the SMC to ensuring the successful establishment of a school in Chyrmang. He urged the community to support education initiatives for a brighter future.

The event also honoured past and present SMC Chairpersons, Secretaries, and members for their service. The celebrations were made vibrant with drill performances, cultural dances, the release of a commemorative souvenir, and the unveiling of memorabilia.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks by CA Ram Kyndiah, Secretary of SMC.