Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona honored 30 top-performing students on September 10. The state-level ceremony in Itanagar recognized academic excellence for the 2024-25 session. These students, ranging from Classes III to XII, came from both government and private institutions. They received certificates and cash prizes, with some individual awards reaching 1 lakh rupees.
The Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students Award initiative began in 2022. The Directorate of Elementary Education launched it to mark 50 years since Arunachal Pradesh became a state in 1972. Beyond the 30 state-level honorees, 840 additional students received district-level awards. Khandu noted that the state has distributed over 3 crore rupees across various student support programs.
Khandu pushed for broader personal development during the event. He urged the youth to respect tribal traditions and maintain physical health. "The government is working to create avenues for young people in both the government and private sectors, while also encouraging entrepreneurship," Khandu said. He pointed to the Sainik School in Pasighat and a future site in Tawang as key opportunities for students interested in military careers. Coaching programs for NDA and CDS exams are currently in development with the Army.
Public education reform remains a top priority. Khandu aims to hit key objectives by 2029. He highlighted the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, which is now managed by a specialized task force. Recruitment for subject teachers via the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission has accelerated to fill staffing gaps. The state is also prioritizing infrastructure like school playgrounds.
Khandu spoke from experience. He attended the Government Gompa Middle School in Tawang. He noted a recent rise in government school enrollment, a rare bright spot compared to national trends. The state plans to continue using the Golden Jubilee awards to motivate high performance in even the most remote districts.
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