Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said the State government is investing in the youth since only six lakh people of the state are above the age of 45 and the rest are predominantly young.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the new Science Block and extension of Classroom Block-B of Sngap Syiem College at Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills district.
Sangma pressed on how education plays an important role to the development of each individual and ultimately their contribution to the state and the nation.
He added that at different levels education has been impacted by the different programs of the government.
“In almost every level of education, the government has intervened by creating policies, programs, infrastructural support and support in terms of sanctioned posts of which I’m happy that your college also is part of today,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that it is unfair that the students cannot choose the subjects that they would like to study, and therefore it is the government’s endeavour to ensure that they are able to give the necessary options for the students to choose the line that they would like to study as necessitated by the National Education Policy.
He further said that it is an endeavour of the government to provide a broader choice of subject for students to specialise and informed that the government is working on the introduction of Science and Commerce streams in different colleges in the state starting from government colleges and further to the People’s colleges.
The Chief Minister also announced the sanction of the school bus and also a contribution of Rs. 20 lakh rupees for the development of the college.
Also present were Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Tongkhar and MDC Carnes Sohshang.
The chief minister also attended the Golden Jubilee celebration of Nativity H.S School, Mawkyrwat and appreciated the efforts of the founders Fr. Aron the Parish Priest of Nativity of our Lord Parish, along with Brixuis Marwein who established the school on March 15, 1974. He also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the faithful from Nonglang, Mawlangwi and Mawranglang who took a resolution to start this institution back then.
He also spoke on the role of the past and the present governing members, faculty and staff who have not just helped in creation of infrastructure but on the lives they have helped to shape, transform and touch through the institution.
The chief minister further spoke on the challenges the education sector in the state is facing even though the government has focussed on the Education sector with a major allocation of the state budget to this sector.
The Chief Minister also announced a contribution of 25 Lakhs from the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund as a token for the 50th anniversary of the school.
Principal of the school, Fr Alphonsus Wahlang was also present on the occasion.
