SHILLONG:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, on March 23, allocated an amount of Rs 2,884 crore for the Education Sector, with Rs 2,015 earmarked for the salaries of teachers.
Presenting his budget speech, the chief minister said that the amount will be spent on investing in physical infrastructure as well as human resources to build and upgrade all the government schools in the state.
“New infrastructure is being constructed at 208 schools at a cost of Rs 109 crore. Major upgradation of infrastructure is being taken up at 111 schools at a cost of Rs 97 crore, and minor repairs are being taken up at about 1,750 schools with an estimated cost of Rs 62 crore,” Sangma said in his speech.
He further informed that construction of the College of Science and Commerce at Mawphlang and Mahendraganj will be completed next year, and efforts will be made to start the academic session at the earliest.
In addition to that, provincialized government colleges in Baghmara, Sohra, and Williamnagar, with a total cost of Rs 36 crore will be completed in 2023-24. Further, four new polytechnics in Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills, and South Garo Hills will also be made functional.
Laying emphasis on improving the quality of education at primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels, Sangma said that investment in teacher training, deployment of technology, and systematic testing of students are some of the things that the sector will focus on.
Of the total amount allocated, the government has earmarked Rs 180 crore to support the students of the state through scholarships in 2023-24.