Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that the government has been spending over Rs 2000 crore annually for the education sector, and lamented that it was still not enough.
“One of the highest percentages of expenditure goes towards the education sector. This year itself we sanctioned Rs 100 crore for improving the overall infrastructure in about 200 Government LP Schools that are in a dilapidated condition,” Sangma said at the Golden Jubilee celebration of Mendipathar College in North Garo Hills.
He further informed that the government is identifying 300 additional schools, which will be taken up for improvement and the funds are being mobilised for the same.
Reiterating on the increase in student population, the chief minister said, “In next five years, the student population will increase to about 4 lakh and you will be surprised to know that we have only 45000 seats in colleges for our children.”
He said that the government is aware of this issue and is working to ensure that more seats and colleges are established across the State to ensure that children are not deprived of higher education.
Stating that the government has taken steps to regularise employment opportunities for the teachers the chief minister said that this year 1300 teachers were recruited in permanent posts.
He further informed that scholarships for students have been increased to Rs 15000 depending on grades and categories as well as merit scholarship which was Rs 60 per month has been increased to Rs 600 per month.
Lamenting on the lack of Science streams in many higher secondary schools and colleges, he said, “Our children who want to study science, who are good at innovation, good at mathematics… sadly are not having any options… this is the challenge we face and we are looking at ways to move forward.”
On the long pending demand for provincialisation of Mendipathar College, he said, “We will examine it. We will find the way on how we could create the right environment and right support for North Garo Hills in particular and Garo Hills region in general.”
Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said that despite challenges the Government has been working to streamline the education sector with the objective to address the concerns and welfare of teachers and students.
