CM inaugurates Rongjeng Model Degree College in East Garo Hills
Shillong, Aug 19: Rongjeng students can now enroll for higher education in their own town, putting an end to their daily travel to district headquarter Williamnagar or even across district in pursuit of higher education.
The Rongjeng Model Degree College in East Garo Hills was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday in presence of Education Minister Rakkam Sangma, MLA Jim Sangma and host of other dignitaries.
The academic session of the degree college will begin this year with Arts Stream.
The new model degree college has been constructed from grants under RUSA 2.0 at a cost of Rs 12 crore. The college was granted sanction under the funding priority of the scheme for under-served District in the Northeastern region as identified by NITI Aayog.
According to the 2011-2018 census, East Garo Hills district had a population of 52,584 and a literacy rate of 54 per cent. Being an unserved and underserved district of the state, the district falls under educationally backward district (EBD).
Reiterating that education has been the top most priority of the government, the chief minister said, “This model college is a small example of the many things that the government is doing to overhaul education in the state. As a government, we will ensure that the best opportunity is given to our students”.
Inaugurating the college building, the chief minister said that the establishment of the college at Rongjeng is fructification of a promise made by Purno Agitok Sangma to the people of the area. “It was a long cherished dream of our leader (L) Purno Agitok Sangma, who had promised to set up a college here in Rongjeng. Today, he is not amidst us but the promise made by him to the people has been fructified”, he added.
Announcing that the college will be named after Late Purno Agitok Sangma, the chief minister said, “He (P.A. Sangma) had close affinity and love for the people of Rongjeng. It will be befitting to name the college after him”.
Thanking Education Minister Rakkam Sangma, Rongjeng MLA Jim Sangma and the Education department, the chief minister said, “The building has been successfully completed, now it should be the collective responsibility of each one of us to ensure that this building is converted into a temple of education”.
He further informed that necessary sanction for approach road, water connection, and other components, which were not part of the building have been sanctioned and will be completed soon.
