ITANAGAR, Oct 21: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday announced grant-in-aid of Rs 5 crore to the Christian Missionaries to be used for development of education sector in the state.
Acknowledging the immense contribution made by the Christian Missionaries of all denominations in the field of education, the Chief Minister said the government alone cannot fully address the educational needs of the people and stressed on the need to place greater reliance on private bodies.
He was addressing the Golden Jubilee celebration of Calvary English School at Moinhappa here on Saturday.
The fund will be handed over to the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) and the different Christian denominations working in education sector may avail the fund as per the need, he said.
He said that purpose of education should not only be to make a person literate but to make them better citizens.
“It is better to be an illiterate and be innocent if being educated we cannot have a helping attitude towards our fellow human beings,” Pema said.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by the school authority, the Chief Minister assured to fulfill all the grievances of the school saying that he is personally connected with the school as was his late father Dorjee Khandu. He assured to sanction funds in this financial year for construction of a laboratory, computer hall, library hall and water connection for the school.
He directed the district administration to liaise with works department to immediately forward the DPR for water connection and appropriate proposals for construction of school annexe for sanctioning of funds.
The Chief Minister informed that the state is trying to achieve its goal to be self reliant and not being dependent on the central government for funds. He informed that the tourism department in two years has increased its revenue from Rs 700 crore to Rs 900 crore.
Earlier, the Chief Minister unveiled the Silver Jubilee Celebration Gate erected to celebrate the 25 years of glorious service in the field of education by the school, started on 5 February, 1992 by the NBCC. He also unveiled the monolith erected to celebrate the school’s affiliation to CBSE accorded this year.
He said the NBCC has made invaluable service to the people, having opened a school in those days when there were no proper road communications.
Principal Gollo Lyngto recalled the contribution made by former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu who donated for the construction of the girls’ hostel. He thanked the present Chief Minister for fulfilling his promise for construction of a CC road towards school compound from Itanagar-Jote main road.
The event was attended by Parliamentary Secretary (PWD) Techi Kaso, NBCC President John Panye, General Secretary Rev Tar Choya, Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Tai Kaye, SP Tumme Ammo.
