Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that the state government will accord ‘Heritage’ status to all government schools in the state that were established before independence. Besides underlining the setting up of museums in the school premises, the Arunachal CM further stated that the ‘Heritage’ status would also ensure special attention in terms of maintenance and infrastructure to these schools. Arunachal CM Pema Khandu made the announcement during the platinum jubilee celebration of Government Secondary School, Balek, in East Siang district on October 25, 2023.
The announcement came following requests made by the organisers of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the school. The school was set up in 1946. “This is one of the best requests that I have come across. Not only this school, but all pre-independence government schools in the state will be declared as Heritage Schools with a museum showcasing its rich history” Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Following up another request, the chief minister further directed the Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) to submit a proposal to the state government to steer up the upgradation of the school into a higher secondary school. Speaking during the event, Khandu further stressed upon the growth trajectory of schooling and education over the past decades. He said that from 3-4 pre-independence government schools, Arunachal Pradesh has over 3,000 government schools functioning across the state.
Highlighting the state government’s push on ‘quality’ over quantity, he further said that the state government has shut down 400 schools which had zero attendance. He further said that the huge number of schools with poor infrastructure and manpower in the state was a result of ‘appeasement’ politics of previous governments.
We have faced immense challenges, particularly in the education sector but we have kept our progress steadfast. We have taken education very seriously. In fact, we have shut down about 400 government schools having zero attendance. The process is still on. We don’t need more schools but we need quality education from the existing schools for which the government is extending all support, he said.
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