Meghalaya: Mukul Sangma urges all MLAs, MPs to contribute towards school revival

CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Amid mounting criticism over Meghalaya's dilapidated school infrastructure, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma hit back at Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma, accusing him of inaction during his tenure and urging all legislators - including the state's two Members of Parliament - to actively contribute to reviving government schools.

"Look, it is true and I would request the LO to tour more to see these kinds of schools. There are many more like this, because when he himself was the Chief Minister during his time no school was built. My father was a Government primary school teacher - no government school was built during his (Dr. Mukul) time," Rakkam said in a pointed remark.

Dr. Mukul Sangma had earlier slammed the Conrad K Sangma-led government for the poor condition of Lower and Upper Primary Schools, particularly in the Garo Hills.

Defending the present administration, Rakkam asserted, "Last 4-5 years, under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, government has decided that all the government Lower Primary schools will be renovated, will be given a new building - and it is happening and it is in the process."

He revealed that out of more than 14,000 educational institutions in the state, nearly 3,000 to 4,000 schools have already been addressed, while around 50% remain in urgent need of repair.

Highlighting his own initiative in the Rongara-Siju constituency, Sangma said he had renovated 45 Ad-hoc and SSA schools using MLA scheme funds, spending ?2 lakh per school. He called upon all 60 MLAs and the two MPs from Meghalaya to replicate such efforts.

"If each MLA takes care of 50 schools per year, we can make real change happen," he said, urging other public representatives, including MDCs, to go beyond optics.

"Let's not play the blame game. Let us preach what we practice. Instead of pointing fingers, let's come together and build," The Education Minister added.

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