Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Monday inaugurated a new school building of Calvary English School in presence of State Minister of Education Honchun Ngandam at Moinhappa here.
The State Government funded the construction of the building following an assurance by Chief Minister Pema Khandu while attending the Silver Jubilee celebration of the school on October 21 last year.
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Addressing a gathering at the parents’ meet, Mein lauded the Nyishi Baptist Church Council of Arunachal Pradesh for running schools with nominal fees for poor students.
He also lauded the contributions made by Rama Krishna Mission, Vivekananda Mission and Christian missionaries in the education and health sectors in the State.
Mein said that the Government will extend all possible help to such charitable societies/organisations irrespective of their religious background because of its secular outlook.
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But Mein lamented that despite surplus educational institutions in the State “as compared to our days, the pass percentage in CBSE examinations is low”. He appealed to every educated person to ponder about it and analyse the cause of the poor performance in CBSE examinations.
A mass awareness is essential in this regard to improve the education system, he said.
He also said that the analysis regarding the poor performance of Government schools in CBSE examinations this year has been sought from the Deputy Commissioners by the Chief Minister to find out the reasons behind it and for a way-forward solution.
Citing education as the backbone of the society and children as the future, he called upon the teachers not to take the teaching profession casually. Referring to the days of 20:80 recruitment rules and manning of schools by outsiders, he said the education system now was comparatively better.
“Today, despite our own local teachers manning majority of the schools since the introduction of 80:20 ratio in the recruitment rules and schools established in every nook and corner of the State, it is a matter of grave concern that our results are deteriorating. If we do not take care of our future generations, then who will come and take care for us?” he said.
Replying to a memorandum submitted by the principal of the school, he assured of looking into their demand for a multipurpose hall.
Ngandam said that the door of the department is open for all and the Government will support every organisation that works for education of “our children”.
He said that the Government would release the grant-in-aid to the Arunachal Baptist Church Council as announced by the Chief Minister last year once MoU is signed with ABCC as done with the Rama Krishna and Vivekananda missions.
“Our students are not less talented but what is lacking and difference is the hard work and discipline,” he said and urged them to work hard, live a disciplined life and believe that they can be the best.
He also urged them to accept positive change and ignore negative messages about the present government being anti-Christianity. He said that India a secular and it respects and allows its citizens to follow any religion.
On the much debated Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1978 or the anti-conversion law, he said the Act was never enforced in the State and it will be discussed meticulously.
Ngandam assured to look into a memorandum for 50-bed girls’ hostel submitted by the school principal by the next fiscal.
Principal Lingto Gollo said the school, established in 1992, is one of several run by the Nyishi Baptist Church Council with contributions from well-wishers without any Government aid until recently. He also said the school got its affiliation to the CBSE last year and 29 students are enrolled in Class X for the session 2018-19 while it has total of 300 students from poor background.
Dr Akin Tana Tara, Chairman of School Education, Pastor Tamchi Kelum, Secretary and Tana Tagi Tara, Associate General Secretary (Service) of NBCC also spoke on the occasion.
Parents, teachers and students attended the programme. The students presented cultural items on the occasion.