Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
In the wake of complaints from parents, students and ex-students, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on October 17 afternoon paid a surprise visit to Pine Mount School.
The Chief Minister said that the visit was basically to get a hands-on-view of the entire situation of the school.
“There were some concerns raised by some parents and past pupils regarding some issues that were in Pine Mount School. There were a lot of issues that had come up in the recent past. This being one of the premier institutes of our state, we therefore, decided to pay a visit, and coming and seeing things would give us a better perspective on the current situation out here,” Sangma said.
Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, Chief Secretary Donald Phillips Wahlang and officials of the Education department also accompanied the Chief Minister.
He said that during the visit it was seen that there were some concerns over amenities like the toilets and a decision was taken on the spot that repair must be done and other infrastructure which require renovation would be done.
Sangma also said that the hostel facility in the school is not up to the mark and there is already a proposal and sanction (of funds) has been done.
“The tender processing was taking a bit of time. So, I have spoken to the PWD (Building) minister that the tendering process should be completed at the earliest and before the next academic year starts we would want the construction work of the new hostel building to start,” Sangma said.
He said that temporary arrangements for the students who are in the hostel and the authorities are looking at multiple options and a call will be taken in the next few days on temporarily accommodating the students who stay in the hostel around the campus.
The Chief Minister visited the auditorium of the school which had been left unused, and said that it will be repaired and it will be decided in the future how to make use of it. He also said that the school field is in a bad condition and an improvement can be done to it too.
On the allegations of mismanagement of funds, Sangma said that the department will look into such claims and give a report accordingly.
Asked on the status of the probe into various allegations made by the teachers he said that it is ongoing right now.
“Any step that has to be taken would be based on proper investigation or whatever reports that we get,” the Chief Minister added.