Shillong: The Opposition in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in Meghalaya has requested the VPP-led Executive Committee (EC) to persuade the state government to return the responsibility of managing Lower Primary School Education (LPSE) to the council.

During the second day of the KHADC's budget session, NPP MDC Grace Mary Kharpuri inquired about the EC's intentions to request the state government to restore the council's authority over primary school management. Executive Member in-charge of Education, Aibandaplin F Lyngdoh, responded that the EC would assess the feasibility of taking over LPSE management again.

Chief Executive Member Shemborlang Rynjah acknowledged that reclaiming this responsibility would be challenging, emphasizing the need to review previous EC decisions on the matter. Rynjah assured that all members would be involved in determining the best course of action.

In another development, NPP's Nongpoh MDC Rona Khymdeit asked about continuing the special financial assistance scheme for primary schools. Lyngdoh replied that the council has been providing financial aid to lower primary schools since 2008-2009, depending on fund availability. For the current financial year, Rs 25 lakh was sanctioned, with Rs 12.24 lakh already spent.

Leader of opposition Titosstarwell Chyne requested clarification on releasing the remaining amount to enable all 29 MDCs to support primary schools in their constituencies. Rynjah assured that the EC would release the pending amount to allow MDCs to offer financial assistance to unsupported schools.