Staff Reporter
Shillong, July 4: Hostel construction and school upgradation projects funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC) have been completed in South Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills districts.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Hostel Blocks at Capt Williamson Sangma Memorial College, Baghmara were completed on June 16. These were sanctioned in June 2021 at a cost of Rupees 1.6666 crore to enhance access to higher education for students from remote areas.

The hostels will primarily benefit students from Economically Weaker Sections by addressing accommodation challenges.

Separately, the upgradation of Ramakrishna Mission schools in Mawsynram, Shella-Bholaganj, and Ranikor was completed on June 24. This project was sanctioned on December 22, 2020, with an estimated cost of Rs. 4.2997 crore.

The initiative aims to provide affordable and quality education to children from marginalised families in remote locations. It focuses on addressing dropout rates and expanding access to non-commercial higher secondary education.

With this upgrade, student enrolment is expected to rise by approximately 45.2 per cent, enabling around 523 students from Below Poverty Line families to continue their studies annually.