SHILLONG, SEPT 11: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said his government’s main thrust in the coming days will be improving quality of education, not just quantity.

Sangma was addressing students after inaugurating the extended school building and renovated computer lab at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Tikrikilla, during the St Joseph Sodality Zonal Convention.

Deputy Speaker Limison D Sangma, Tourism Minister Timothy D Shira and MLA Jimmy D Sangma were also present.

Addressing the gathering, Sangma said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be amongst students and get the opportunity to be part of the convention.”

“All blessings come from above and we must thank God for His grace,” he said, thanking the school authorities, Parish and Diocese for making the projects a reality.

Sangma said education remains the top priority for his government.

“Government has always believed education is one of the key foundations for any society. Based on this belief, highest budget allocation is for Education Department. Government spends over Rs 3,500 crore every year for education,” he said.

He said though most of the budget goes into salaries, the government has been pushing infrastructure upgrade.

“In last many years, we have been making concerted efforts to improve educational infrastructure, invest in school buildings, improve pupil-teacher ratio and enhance overall pass percentage,” he said.

Sangma said the new facilities at Don Bosco School are a blessing and students should not take them for granted.

“After travelling across state and country, I can say you are studying in one of the better schools in entire country. Consider yourselves lucky, remain grateful and dedicate yourselves to studies with full commitment,” he said.

He also lauded teachers for their dedication despite difficult conditions.