Shillong, May 22: A private school in Ri-Bhoi district with the roof has nearly caved in, rainwater leaking into classrooms, and walls seemingly damp has kept on the fight to exist for nearly half a century.
Amid unsafe and challenging conditions, the Nongspung A Garo Non-Government Lower Primary School continues to cater to the children, especially from marginalised families of the area.
For them, the LP school established in 1976 at Nongspung A village under Jirang block is the only hope to get introduced to education as they have neither the means to afford private school nor access to alternative government schools nearby.
On Thursday, they had a new hope as upon learning about its deteriorating condition, chief minister Conrad K Sangma paid a visit to the school and promised to rebuild it in a phase-wise manner.
“This school building is in a very bad condition… Along with the hon’ble MLA, we have decided to work together and provide them new infrastructure in a phase-wise manner. I promise that,” he said after inspecting the school on his maiden visit to the region.
He also informed that the funds for the school’s infrastructure would be sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF), support from the local MLA, and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to ensure phase-wise rebuilding of the school infrastructure.
“Along with my CMSDF scheme, along with whatever support from the MLA as well as from SSA scheme, we’ll try and build up this infrastructure in a phase-wise manner at the earliest,” he said.
As a symbolic gesture to encourage holistic development, Sangma also distributed an acoustic guitar and footballs to the school children. “I have promised some musical instruments and sports equipment. Some of them I brought along and handed over,” he added.
A visibly happy chief minister also took a moment to guide a student on playing the guitar, instructing him on how to hold the guitar, place the fingers on the keys and perform basic strumming.
“Was so happy to see one of the youngsters, in spite of not having any access to any instrument, he still was able to pick up and play the different keys. It is very encouraging that I hope that I’ll be able to give them more opportunities by providing them better equipment in future,” he remarked.
This visit is part of the chief minister’s ongoing initiative to connect with communities in remote and rural areas across Meghalaya.
Sangma has been travelling extensively to understand ground realities and challenges first hand.
Recently, he became the first chief minister to visit Tangmang village, a 200-year-old settlement known for its exquisite craftsmanship in Pynursla subdivision of East Khasi Hills.
During his visit, he also announced plans to develop a trekking circuit around the villages of Mawkyrnot, Rangthylliang, and Mynrieng, along with a Living Root Bridges Experience Centre aimed at promoting eco-tourism and celebrating the region’s natural heritage, including the iconic Living Root Bridges and Sacred Groves.
