Mylliem MDC Ronnie Lyngdoh has stressed on the need for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to enhance grants for rural schools.
“A maximum of one or two teachers takes about six-seven classes in one or two classrooms in most schools in rural areas and these are the schools that the district council should assist if the support of the state government does not come forth,” Lyngdoh, who raised this topic in the house, told reporters yesterday.
Stating that he has raised this issue before, the opposition MDC said, “If an amount of Rs 15 crore can be used for the council’s assets then an earmark of Rs 25 lakh annually for the schools is too little and should be raised.”
With the state government ploughing money into tourism, it would be more sensible for the KHADC to fund rural schools, he opined.
“There are some school teachers who are paid Rs 1,500 a month but still give untiring service with love and dedication to the children coming from weak economic backgrounds whose only chance of education are these schools,” Lyngdoh said.
Another problem is that rural schools often only go up to Class 8. This means that many children drop out after this as continuing their education means long journey times and greater expenses, which their families cannot afford.
He also suggested that the council seek funding for such schools from the central government as a key part of preserving the tribal people and their society.
