Union Minister for tourism, culture and DoNER, G Kishan Reddy, laid the foundation stone for In-service teachers training (ISTT) cum examination centre with residential facilities at Pherima, Medziphema on Saturday.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying programme, Reddy expressed happiness on laying the foundation stone and said that many schools were opened for children, but training centre for teachers were not set up.
After 33 years, he claimed that the central government initiated the New Education Policy after consulting with several scientists, experts, professors, teachers and civil society groups. In the new education policy, Reddy said priority would be given to promotion of local language, culture and traditions songs and music up to professional level courses.
Union minister said that the upcoming centre would serve as a centre of excellence in art, information, communication and technology and provide short-term course besides serving as examination centre. He exuded confidence that the institute would be taken up on priority basis. Reddy reminded that no person, family, state or nation would progress without education.
In this regard, the union minister called for achieving 100% literacy in North East Region.
He said that Nagaland’s rich culture and tribal tradition should be respected and protected.
In his brief address, minister planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu, thanked the union minister for his concern for the state and leaving his footprints by laying the foundation stone for setting up the ISTT centre.
Asserting more fund may be required since ISST centre was located in a hilly terrain, Kronu urged the union minister to consider as and when approached.
Advisor school education, KT Sukhalu, in his address, acknowledged the union minister for his commitment to bring Nagaland on a par with the rest of the country.
Sukhalu said the initial amount for the centre was Rs. 20 crore and the Centre has approved Rs.15.5 crore whereas the state’s share was Rs.4.5 crore. However, Nagaland being a resource-crunch state, the advisor urged the union minister to consider the state’s share so the project would be completed without any hindrance.
Advisor sericulture, excise and minority affairs, Zhaleo Rio, in his address, also lauded the union minister for choosing Pherima to set up the centre. He assured to extend logistic support in all ways possible.
Earlier, the union minister and the dignitaries unveiled the plague for the centre followed by plantation of saplings.
The programme was chaired by principal director school education, Shanavas C, while vote of thanks was proposed by special secretary SE&SCERT Kevileno Angami.