Addressing school dropout rates, enhancing sports infrastructures main priority: Raju Basnett after taking charge as Education Minister of Sikkim

After taking charge as the Education and Sports & Youth Affairs Minister in the Prem Singh Tamang-led Sikkim Government. Raju Basnett revealed an ambitious plan to address school dropout rates and elevate the state’s status in the world of sports.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Minister Basnett shared a comprehensive plan that combines academic achievement with athletic prowess to improve the future of the state’s youth through sports development and education.

The Minister shared his vision to work on minimising the increasing dropout rates in Sikkim.

He pressed the alarm over the decreasing enrollment numbers in village schools and the declining quality of education in these areas and said, “Enrollment rates in village schools are dropping, and the quality of education provided is not meeting our standards. This is a critical issue that needs urgent attention.”

To combat these challenges, Basnett announced plans to convene meetings with each school department and said, “We will soon hold comprehensive discussions with school departments to understand the root causes and devise effective strategies.”

It may be mentioned here that the new Sikkim Cabinet has bifurcated the education department –one for higher education and one for school education to enhance the efficiency of its education system.

On the sports front, Basnett disclosed his vision to push the state into the global arena.

“In the last last 5 years, we have already built many sports playgrounds in almost all constituencies. In the next 5 years, we will work tirelessly to enhance the sports infrastructure in the state to push the state forward in the world of sports,” he added.