March 5, 2012:

The Sikkim government, once again reiterating its commitment to education has decided to spend 20 per cent of its total budget on education. Sikkim is one of the few states in India with a significant percentage of its budget allocated for education. Even in the year 2010, the state Chief Minister had announced that 20% of the total budget will be spent on Human Resource Development with the objective to provide quality education and to make the students of Sikkim the best citizen in the country. Sikkim’s annual plan outlay was of Rs. 1400 crore in 2011-12.

CM Chamling announced on Sunday during his party’s 20th Foundation Day in Jorethang, South Sikkim that one model school will also be opened in each Gram Panchayat in Sikkim. Sikkim Democratic Front, SDF, has come to power back to back in four consecutive terms in Sikkim.

The CM said that the money will be spent to make the state a hub of quality education. It will be done by training teachers and providing children with better opportunities to avail best education. Recently under Chief Minister’s Merit Scheme the state govt. is sending 200 meritorious students to the best schools across the country. The state govt. is bearing all the expenses of all such candidates. The CM announced during the felicitation ceremony of the selected students recently in Gangtok that in the forthcoming years 1000 students will be sent across the country for better education under the scheme. Sikkim has set the deadline of 2015 for the eradication of illiteracy.

Yesterday’s celebrations were affected by a major fire that engulfed the entire Pandal. Though the Chief Minister had finished his speech by then and went unhurt. Nearly 3 dozen people were injured in the fire and the consequent stampede. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered.

 

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