Nearly 1 lakh dropouts in Meghalaya

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 20: Meghalaya has nearly a lakh children who have either dropped out or have never enrolled in schools during the past five years even.

Replying to queries in the State Assembly here today, School Education & Literacy minister Deborah C. Marak informed that the total number of identified school drop-outs and those who have never enrolled is 97,089 from 2013-2017.

Out of this, 33,557 have been identified during the year 2013-14, 31,276 in 2014-15, 14, 957 in 2015-16 and 17, 299 in 2016-17, she said.

To a supplementary raised by Congress Mahendraganj legislator Dikkanchi D Shira on the main causes that led to such problem, the minister pointed to the economic condition of rural masses, repeated failures, poor infrastructures and others.

Referring to the statistics, opposition UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh said the problem was quite alarming and demanded the state government to pull up its socks by taking concrete steps to address the issue.

He also suggested the need to revisit the steps already taken on the matter to which the minister assured to take note.

Terming the matter as serious, opposition Independent legislator Saleng A Sangma brought to the notice of the House on the problems faced by the teachers in militancy affected areas of Garo Hills.

He said some of the teachers who were feeling threatened have not been able to attend schools for many months.

On this, Marak assured that if such complaints are received, the government would take action by giving such teachers with security.

She said that the government is implementing the SSA scheme in bringing such children back to school.

The minister informed that in order to facilitate employability of school drop-outs, the government through RMSA Scheme has set up Vocational Training Centre for teaching courses like hospitality, wellness and beauty, tourism adding students attending certificate course are assured of job placement.

When UDP legislator from Mawlai Embhahlang Syiemlieh brought to notice of the House on an incident where a boy who was assured a job placement in hotels outside the state was made to work in a grocery shop instead, Marak assured to look into the matter.

Reacting to another query raised by UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh, she informed that vocational training is also being imparted in 10 government schools.