Subscribe via email

Grab our RSS Feed

Sikkim Govt has correctly recognized importance of education: Ansari

Sikkim Govt has correctly recognized importance of education: Ansari
VP releases golden jubilee souvenir of Sikkim High Court

Sikkim Express

Sikkim Govt has correctly recognized importance of education: Ansari

GANGTOK, October 29: Asserting that the products of the education system are the future citizens of the country, Vice President M Hamid Ansari today said that there is a need to question whether there exist inequity and segregated access to quality education.
“We need to asses if this is being realized for the poor and the vulnerable at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid”, said Ansari in his inaugural address of a special seminar organized by High Court of Sikkim here at Chintan Bhavan.
The seminar is on ‘Right to Education with special reference to Sikkim and its impact on legal awareness campaign’.
“A rudimentary legal awareness of their rights and duties as citizens and of the basic political, constitutional and legal scheme of things in the country are imparted in the schools. However, empowering citizens in a more meaningful manner can only be done through specific and specialized legal awareness programmes of the kind conducted by Sikkim State Legal Services Authority”, said the Vice President.
Highlighting that education is the most potent instrument for social and economic mobility and for eventually bringing about social and political change, Ansari said that the Sikkim government has correctly recognized the importance of education.
The Vice President further said that merger of Sikkim with Union of India in 1975 has strengthened the functioning of the High Court and subordinate court structure in Sikkim.
“Sikkim is a progressive State and of the first in the country to recognize the importance of human development” said Ansari adding that the priority attached by the State government to education is reflected in the budget allocation with education accounting for around 15 percent of the total Plan outlay.
The Vice President added that the literacy rate in Sikkim is very impressive. The State has a literacy rate of over 75 percent and in urban areas, it is over 80 percent, he said.
The Vice President also released the ‘Golden Jubilee Souvenir’ of High Court of Sikkim on the occasion.
Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh in his presidential address pointed out that the growth of tomorrow’s India depends on today’s action taken in the education sector. Action is needed in several areas like good infrastructure and quality education, he said. There is a need to take up this task in a mission mode by all stakeholders, he added.
Pointing out that the Sikkim government has taken several measures to reduce illiteracy, Singh called for commitment from teachers and positive attitude from the parents.
Our aim is to make Sikkim fully literate by 2015 and the rapid progress we have made gives us confidence to achieve this target, said the Governor. He also expressed his concern over the dropout rates in the State.
In his special address, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling highlighted the top priority give to education sector in the State by his government from day one. Literacy rate today stands at 82 percent and we are committed to provide quality education wide available in our State, he said. He also pointed out several schemes launched by his government for girl children.
“Through our own limited resources and in our own humble way, we have taken initiatives to make quality education widely accessible and affordable in the State. In the process, we have been able to smooth out disparities to a large extent resulting from uneven household income and lack of other relative opportunities caused by historically demonstrated social condition across the State”, said Chamling.
In his keynote address, Chief Justice Aftab H Saika termed the occasion as a ‘great, great day’ for Sikkim judiciary particularly the High Court which is currently celebrating fifty years of dedicated service to the people of Sikkim. He expressed his confidence the deliberations and discussions by the participants during the seminar will be fruitful.
High Court judge Justice AP Subba presented the welcome address while the vote of thanks was presented by High court judge SP Wangdi.
Earlier today, the Vice President visited the Sikkim Himalayan Orchid Ltd at Assam Lingzey near Gangtok. The company is a joint venture between Natgyn Flora, Chennai and State horticulture department.
Today is the second day of the three day visit of the Vice President. He will be laying the foundation stone of Sevoke (West Bengal) to Rangpo (Sikkim) new railway line project at Rangpo tomorrow before flying back to New Delhi.
Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee will also be present during the function.

Leave a Reply