30 students receive GJMSA | NEP 2020, Shikshit Arunachal to restore quality of education: CM | Arunachal Observer

ITANAGAR, Sept 10: Chief Minister Pema Khandu felicitated 30 state-level meritorious students under Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Award (GJMSA) for academic session 2024-25 during a ceremony here on Thursday and called upon young achievers to remain disciplined, focused and committed to excellence as they prepare to shoulder the responsibility of state’s future.

In his address to all present, including Education Minister P D Sona, Advisor to Education Minister Mutchu Mithi, senior education department officials, teachers, students and parents, he congratulated the awardees and appreciated support extended by their parents, families, teachers and friends in their academic journey.

Thirty toppers were from classes III to XII while around 840 students received various district level awards. The GJMSA was instituted in 2022, when the state celebrated 50 years since it was named Arunachal Pradesh in 1972, and its implementation began from academic year 2023-24. The 2024-25 edition is the 2nd state-level ceremony, while the 2025-26 edition is scheduled during current year.

Highlighting ongoing reforms in education sector, the CM said that the GoAP has been working to restore quality and effectiveness of Govt schools by implementing National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Mission Shikshit Arunachal with a target of achieving its objectives by 2029.

He said a task force was set up for its implementation, followed by extensive consultations with community-based organisations and other stakeholders. Education officials, including the minister, advisor, secretary, director and DDSEs, have undertaken district-level consultations, following which a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared.

The GoAP is rationalising number of schools and moving towards strengthening inter-village (IV) school model, with greater emphasis on infrastructure and adequate availability of teachers, particularly subject teachers. Khandu said, adding significant recruitment of subject teachers through the Public Service Commission has been undertaken to strengthen Govt schools.

He also noted the encouraging rise in enrolment in Govt schools in recent years, saying the trend was particularly significant at a time when declining Govt-school enrolment remains a challenge across the country.

The CM emphasised that discipline, respect for elders and teachers, academic excellence and physical fitness must go together. Referring to state’s tribal traditions, he urged students to preserve culture of respecting parents, elders, teachers and all members of school community.

He stressed that sports should receive equal importance alongside academics for the overall development of young people, noting that playgrounds have been provided in government schools across the State.

The GoAP has created multiple avenues for young people to pursue careers in Govt service, private sector, entrepreneurship, start-ups and other emerging fields Khandu said and cited the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board, APPSC, UPSC and multinational companies as avenues for employment and professional growth, while encouraging students to also consider entrepreneurship and business.

The GoAP has been creating opportunities to encourage more Arunachalee youth to join the Armed Forces as officers, he said and informed that state’s first Sainik School at Pasighat was setup in collaboration with the GoI and second Sainik School at Tawang under PPP mode.

The GoAP is also working with the Army to set up a structured coaching mechanism through which selected Arunachal students would receive specialised preparation for competitive examinations, like NDA and CDS, Khandu said, adding the proposed initiative would help young people pursue careers as officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and central armed police forces, including SSB, ITBP, CRPF and BSF.

Highlighting the GoAP’s efforts to provide global exposure to Arunachal’s students, he said that state students who secure admission to universities ranked among top 150 globally under QS rankings are supported. The scholarship, being implemented for students after class XII, has benefited Arunachalee students and 13-14 students availed the opportunity this year.

Sharing his personal experience, he recalled studying at Tawang’s Govt Gompa Middle School, where he was part of the first batch after the school was upgraded to a secondary school. Khandu said he was himself a product of Govt school and therefore understood the challenges and ecosystem of Govt schools. (CMO)

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