By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, APR 6: A city school which is first in the North East region to empower tribal women is all set to celebrate its journey of 125 years onJune 8.
Established in 1892, the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Girls’ Higher Secondary School (KJPGHSS) was the pioneer of women education.
Under the leadership of a lady missionary Miss Bessie Williams (later Mrs TJ Jones), who was sent by the Welsh Presbyterian Mission Society for women education, took over the school administration despite challenges in view of the mindset that – “women are fit only rearing children with apron in the kitchen”.
“The school was the first to take up the mantle of educating and empowering women folks in the region,” School Managing Committee (SMC) president Rev GPL Gadew told reporters here.
He informed that the year long celebration of the school’s 125th anniversary, which started last year will come to a close on June 8.
The school located at Mission Compound, Mawkhar is presently having a total enrolment of 1617 students and is all set to introduce Science stream from the next academic session.
Highlighting on the achievements of the school, Rev Gadew said that the school has been able to produced many eminent personalities whose lives have impacted to the society in a great way.
To name a few – Padmashree Silvering Swer, Padmashree EN Shullai, first Khasi woman minister in the Assam government Dunn Lyngdoh, first Khasi woman member of parliament Bonily Khongmen and former UPSC Khasi chairperson RM Bathew.
According to Rev Gadew, there also other women coming from the different NE states who were products of the school and have excelled in their own fields.
Meanwhile as part of the preparation, the Khasi Jaintia Welfare Association (KJWA) has decided to support the school for raising funds by organizing a Marathon on May 27.
KJWA president G Reinbohn said that over 2000 students are expected to participate in the proposed marathon which will start from Mawkhar.
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