Shillong, June 25: Meghalaya Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Zenith Sangma laid the foundation stone for construction of new school building for Wadanang Government Aided Secondary School, Tura under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project – “Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya” on Saturday afternoon.
It may be mentioned that this project focuses on improvement of secondary education, infrastructure and skill development. Under the project, scores of government-aided secondary and higher secondary schools in the State are being upgraded with the kind of infrastructure to improve the overall learning environment for the students.
The foundation stone for the school building was laid in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary incharge Urban Affairs and local MLA, Noverfield R Marak, Chairman of Tura Municipal Board Donbosh Sangma, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi, other dignitaries, members of the school management committee, officials of Education department, heads of institutions, senior citizens, teachers and the students of the school.
While speaking on the occasion, Zenith Sangma expressed his happiness on being able to bring such projects for social sector in the State which will address the critical gaps in the education sector and called for collective responsibility with sense of ownership from all concerned to take the project forward.
Recalling the fact that earlier there were less allocation of funds for Education department Mr. Sangma informed that the State government has invested maximum number of funds for the education sector over the years. “But even after all these years we are still struggling to ensure that children get the right ambience in their place of study and therefore “Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya” project has been taken up by the State Government with the funding from ADB to address these kinds of challenges and improve human resources, he added.
Further, he also called upon the institutions in the State to act as a platform of information for the students about opportunities available before them so that they are not dependent on “white collared” jobs but can take up other spaces of jobs available. He also advised them to make use of the precious time wisely and productively so that they can lead a good life in future.
Noverfield R Marak the Guest of Honour on the occasion, in his brief speech said that education is a necessity nowadays for acquiring all the other things in life and called upon one and all to take education seriously while seeking their cooperation to work together for the success of any developmental projects in the state. Moreover, he thanked the Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma for initiating the said project.
It may be mentioned that Wadanang Government Aided Secondary School was established in 1932 which was further upgraded to Secondary School in the year 1985 and since then has been catering to the students from various parts of Garo Hills. Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi and former Director, Education Department J D Sangma, were among others who also spoke on the occasion.
