Lamka, April 15 2013: Education Minister M Okendro today announced several packages intended to uplift the district's educational system as he graced the golden jubilee celebration of one of Churachandpur's remarkably performing Government institutions and inaugurated the first ever Government-run residential school in the district.

A separate hostel for both boys and girls will be constructed at Gandhi Memorial High School, said Okendro in a hurriedly assembled conference inside the school teacher's common room.

The school, already an approved model school with structure meant to house Classes VI and above was also assured of another building to accommodate Classes I to V.The diamond jubilee celebration which was still in its initial stage was stalled by a sudden gale as it dismantled the makeshift hall and sent many high ranking officials attending the celebration as well as the students and their parents scouring for shelter.

As a Minister who attended the celebration as a chief guest was yet to address the gathering, the accompanying press corp along with local reporters were hurriedly summoned to hear from the Minister, as his public address was cancelled.

Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Parliamentary Secretary Vungzagin Valte, former minister TN Haokip, and good number of VIPs were in attendance as well.

Gandhi Memorial High School is said to be a brainchild of former MP Holkhomang Haokip and its alumni includes among others incumbent IFC minister Ngamthang Haokip, Parliamentary Secretary V Valte, TN Haokip, NEC planning adviser J Lhungdim, Director Income Tax (Investigation) DP Haokip, Chief Conservator of Forest DD Haokip, S Minlianthang, Lamkhosiem Khongsai DTO CCpur, Prof LS Gangte, Prof L Ruoivel and sixty other dignitaries who attained recognition in their own professions.

Okendro, who also inaugurated the district's first residential school that was set-up under SSA at New Lamka was received by Vungzagin Valte, a man who initiated various educational reforms at his constituency at Kangvai along with his entourage.

Addressing the public at the SSA residential school Okendra said the idea of setting up the residential school was to give equal education opportunities to the downtrodden and the marginalized children.

The school despite the fact that it is yet to be functional has so far recorded an enrolment of over one-hundred-and-sixty children and, this visibly has impressed the Minister who has in addition to the already sanctioned infrastructure assured a pucca fencing for the school.

The SSA residential school is meant to have a capacity of one-hundred students of classes VI to VII, but the overwhelming response it has attracted has forced the local authorities to amend the rules to open-up the school from classes 1 and upward.

Due to the overwhelming response it received from residents, the school will also attend to students from Classes I to V but as a day school and not under the residential arrangement, said Deputy Commissioner Jacintha Lazarus.

M Gouzamang Guite, EM ADCC and in-charge of education said newly recruited teachers for the residential school would start attending the school effective from tomorrow.

As the school still has no hostel of its own, the hostel building at PT Sports complex will be temporarily utilized to house the students, he said adding all beds and necessary furniture have been readied to greet the students.

Health Minister Phungzathang has announced before the public that besides the packages the Education Minister has revealed today, he would soon be announcing establishment of a polytechnic in the district very soon.

Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Storm blows of school building
LAMKA, April 15: A school building which was constructed only last year at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh was blown away by a storm this noon.

The building of the Dialkhai Government School in the village of Dialkai this noon, injuring as many as 12 students, said sources.
Sources informed that out of the 12 injured two are suspected to be serious. The injured were shifted to the Thanlon Primary Health Centre by the BRTF personnel.
It may be mentioned that the school was constructed only last years under MSDP fund with an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh and had a tin roof with brick walls.
Sources said the failure to use iron bar in the construction is suspected to be the primary cause for the collapsing of the school building.