Rongjeng : Marking a significant milestone in the education sector of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, today inaugurated the academic session of Rongjeng Model Degree College in East Garo Hills district. Shri Conrad K Sangma also announced the official sanction for the Rongjeng Stadium, with a budget of Rs 9.25 crores being handed over to MLA of Rongjeng, Shri Jim M Sangma.
Hon’ble Chief Minister stated, “This esteemed college is a blessing from the Almighty. In 2013, Late P A Sangma had envisioned this institution, but unfortunately, it could not be realized during his tenure. However, when the NPP came to power, the Central Government sanctioned two colleges, and we acquired land for this college in Rongjeng, fulfilling Late P A Sangma’s dream. I am pleased to announce that this college will be named P A Sangma Rongjeng Model Degree College.”
He informed that sanctions had been made for the college’s development, including Rs 93 lakh for water supply, 16.74 lakh for retaining walls, and 86.71 lakh for roads. He emphasized that the college’s success depended on the hard-work of students, faculty, and teachers. He urged them to take responsibility for making the institution iconic.
Shri Rakkam A Sangma, Hon’ble Minister of Education, stated that in 2013, he had accompanied Late P.A. Sangma to Holy Faith Higher Secondary School in Rongjeng, where Sangma had emphasized the importance of education, saying that planting children with good education was crucial for a place to flourish. Sangma had announced his intention to build a college in Rongjeng, which was his vision, now realized as the Model College.
The Education Minister proposed naming the college P.A. Sangma Model College in his memory. He also mentioned that a proposal of 26 Cr had been made to rename National Highway 62 as 217 from Nongal to Simbari.
Smti. Hazel D. B. Sangma, MCS, Director of Higher & Technical Education, Government of Meghalaya in her speech emphasised that this milestone achievement opens a new chapter for the community and especially the students aspiring to pursue higher education.
With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Rongjeng Model Degree College has introduced an Arts stream in the 2024-2025 academic session, comprising six key subjects-English, Khasi, Garo, Political Science, Economics, and History and has successfully enrolled sixty-five students.
Funded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, 2.0 scheme, the college was built at Rs 12 crore with a funding pattern of 90:10. The infrastructure developmental project under this scheme for the model degree college includes the main building, boys & girls hostel, and all civil constriction work has been completed.
Present at the inauguration ceremony were Shri Rakkam A Sangma, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Shri Marcuise N Marak, Hon’ble Minister of Public Health Engineering (PHE), Soil & Water Conservation, Shri Jim M Sangma, Hon’ble MLA, Rongjeng Constituency & Chairman, Forest Development Corporation of Meghalaya Ltd, Shri HM Shangpliang, Advisor to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department, Shri CP Marak, Retd. IFS & Executive Chairman MBOSE, Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Education Department, Government of Meghalaya, Shri Ambrose CH Marak, IAS, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department, Shri Vibhor Aggarwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills. Officers of other allied departments, Principals, Faculty members and teachers from different schools and colleges were also present.
