Shillong, December 12: The Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma distributed M-Tab Under Students Digital Learning Aid Scheme 2017 to Class XII students of East Khasi Hills at a function held here today at Dallang Stage, 5th Ground Polo, Shillong which was also attended by Minister, Information Technology etc Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh as the Guest of Honour.
Speaking to a large gathering of students, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma expressing happiness that the government continues to implement the Digital Learning aid programme to the students said that the programme that was initiated on 2nd Oct 2013 continues for the larger benefit and empowerment of students.
He said that the state of Meghalaya has faced a lot of challenges in the field of Education and dealing with the issue of access to quality education at the elementary level while at the secondary and higher levels it is the challenge of having professional colleges and institutes in the state itself. “We have struggled to fight back against the problem of school dropouts and dropout rates in the elementary and secondary levels have fallen significantly between 2006-07 and 2011-12 from 30% to 9.5% and from 39% to 11.5% respectively and will continue to work out to ensure that the dropout rates comes to 0%”, he said.
The Chief Minister also said that with technology we are no longer insulated from what happens globally and technology has changed even Education therefore it was necessary to initiate a programme so that the children of the state do not feel less privileged or inferior to the rest of the world. “The digital platform that is available for every citizen must be taken advantage of for ensuring that everyone takes benefit of the digital revolution that is happening globally,” said the Chief Minister. He also added that the Digital Learning Aid programme goes beyond the content available in the tablets as it will inspire the youth to be innovative as they use this digital platform. He therefore urged the students to utilize and acclimatize themselves with the whole unlimited access to content available on the web and also to explore the opportunities and spaces available in the digital platform.
Dr Sangma also informed that the government has invested in having institutions of higher and professional courses across the state and urged students to take advantage of the institutions available in their own backyard to pursue their studies. “With the coming up of two medical colleges, two engineering colleges and a College of Architecture and Urban Planning in the state, the challenges of pursuing studies outside the state will be minimized and it will also reverse the process of flight of capital,” said the Chief Minister while adding that Education is an economic stimulus and all need to collectively endeavor and resolve to make Education remunerative and sustainable.
Also speaking during the occasion Minister, Information Technology etc Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the world has become highly complicated with cut throat competition and students no longer have time for leisure and family bonding. She also said that Cl XII is a crossroad for students in their life and with access to the tablets young students of Meghalaya will join the global information technology students. The Minister urged the students to work hard investing time and attention to studies while urging the students also to use the tablets wisely.
The tablets distributed on earlier occasions came with Android operating system while the tablets distributed today are Windows based. They also come with Microsoft Office which will be of great value to students to familiarize themselves with Word, Excel, Power Point etc. Keyboard & Sleeve have been provided this time to make it more convenient to use the tablet and specially Microsoft Office. The tablet contains Class XI & XII syllabus for Arts, Science & Commerce with NEET & JEE study and preparation material. It also contains practice papers for self evaluation with latest technology of multimedia and interactive content. The government has selected iBall Tablets one of the leading Indian Electronic Brands through an e-tendering process.
All registered students of Cl XII will receive the tablets in other parts of the state. David Nongrum, MLA, Mawryngkneng, Commissioner & Secretary, Information Technology, Education etc D P Wahlang, Secretary, Information Technology, M R Synrem and Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, P S Dkhar were also present.
