Shillong, February 17, 2022: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of Sib Singh Memorial Government Higher Secondary School at Nongstoin in the presence of Minister, Education, Lakhmen Rymbui, MLA, Nongstoin, Macmillan Byrsat and administrative officials from the district.
Speaking to the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the upgradation of the school has been a very long pending demand and requirement for the students, even as he stressed that education has been accorded the greatest priority by the government.
“With COVID and the different financial constraints we faced challenges but our commitment to Education and to the future generation of our State has been the real guiding principle and force to ensure that we did not budge from our primary objective of ensuring that we give priority to Education,” he said.
He added that the Education department has been able to address a number of issues. “We do face challenges when it comes to SSA because 90% of the fund comes from central government but the situation should not be generalized. I want to clarify to the people of the state that it is not fair to generalise all and say that government is not able to pay salaries of teachers. 90% of the teachers are getting the salaries but SSA is a challenge for us as 90 per cent is funded by the Centre,” he said. He added that the government is working and finding measures to resolve the issue.
He also said that with such investments and commitments from teachers, students, officials and all stakeholders, Education sector can be taken to greater heights. He further urged the students to be disciplined, to work hard and to be humble to achieve success.
The program was also attended by the Principal, students and parents.