Arunachal Pradesh makes rapid stride in education sector: CM Pema Khandu

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Friday said that despite being a late starter, the state is making rapid strides in the education sector.

The State Government has spent about Rs 1300 crores in developing infrastructure of government schools across the state during the last financial year and the adequate fund have been kept for this year too for the sector," the chief minister said after inaugurating the Kunphen Jangchup Clinic at the Manjushree Vidyapeeth in Tawang district, bordering China.

Terming the National Education Policy (NEP) adopted by the Central Government as one of the greatest reforms in the education sector, Khandu said the state government is committed to implementing it in a phased manner, in all government schools of the state by 2030, an official communiqué informed here.

"Our youths are very talented. They have excelled in all sectors like sports, games, performing arts, music, etc. We are focusing to provide sufficient platforms to our youths to explore, expose and excel in their chosen fields," he said.

Founded by Padmashree Lama Thupten Phuntsok, Manjushree Vidyapeeth has been offering formal education to children who have lost their parents or are too poor to afford, it since 1998.

The newly opened clinic will cater to the health services need of the children of the institute.

Khandu recalled the initial stages of the institute's beginning, which, he said, has been hard due to a lack of sponsorship and grants-in-aid.

"Since the beginning, I have been personally associated with the institute. I have witnessed its difficult initial days and its success in tackling all hurdles to emerge as one of the best educational institutes in the district," he said and heaped praises on the devotion and dedication of Lama Thupten Phuntsok, who steered the institute to its present status.

Khandu also recalled the help provided by the Indian Army in terms of men and machinery in land development for the institute's foundations.

He extended gratitude to philanthropist Jeff Kaplan and the US-based Deerfield Partnership Foundation and 'friends' of Manjushree Vidyapeeth for sponsoring the health clinic.

The chief minister appreciated the district administration, district health authority and the Indian Army posted in the region for helping to make the clinic functional.

Pema Khandu proposed the district administration, local officers and leaders begin a coaching centre at Tawang so that local youths, who cannot afford to go outside the state or to the state capital, can prepare for competitive examinations held by UPSC and the APPSC.

He assured that all three MLAs of the district will contribute from their respective MLA LAD funds for the noble purpose.

To a request by Lama Thupten Phuntsok, the chief minister assured to sanction funds for the construction of a multipurpose auditorium for the school within this financial year.

Growing in strength by each year, the school today has more than 300 students, the communiqué added.

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