Andaman and Nicobar Administration

Directorate of IP&T

Information & Publicity Division

 

 

Port Blair July 27, 2014

 

 

Press Release

 

 

 

 

Andaman College (ANCOL) inaugurated

Administration determines to provide

best education to isles students: LG

 

        Port Blair, July 27: The A & N Administration is determined to provide the best education to the youth of the Islands, said Lt Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) A K Singh, while addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Andaman College (ANCOL), Haddo on July 26, 2014. The Lt Governor unveiled a plaque to inaugurate the new-degree college located at Haddo. ANCOL is temporarily made functional at the premises of Govt. SSS School, Haddo (Hindi) from July 2014, the permanent campus of the college will come up with all essential facilities shortly. The Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Shri B.P. Ray, Smt Ray, Chief Secretary, Chairperson (PBMC), Chairperson (SSWB), senior officers of the Administration, representatives of political parties, faculty members and students of the college were present.   

 

        A delighted Lt Governor said that providing quality education is a primary focus of the UT Administration and for doing so an amount of Rs 240 crore has been kept in the plan outlay for the education sector. This amounts to 12 % of the total budget outlay of the UT Administration. Collectively, education and health sectors are the two focused sectors which count for 20% of the total plan outlay of the A & N Islands. This is a befitting testimony to the fact that the A&N Administration paying due attention to the two main social welfare sectors of Health and Education; one ensuring a better today and the other securing a better future. The new-degree college has been opened keeping in view the huge mismatch between the number of new students applying for admission in degree colleges in the Islands and the intake capacity of the existing colleges here, he said.

 

        Stating that the objective of the College is to provide and promote qualitative and quantitative growth in the field of higher education, the Lt Governor informed that the enrolment in the College will increase by another 120 seats next week thus taking the total enrolment to 360 and added that as and when the College is shifted to its permanent campus, it will be counted among the best colleges with all essential facilities. The Lt Governor directed the Chief Secretary and the Secretary (Education) that the permanent campus of the College should be a model College with all modern facilities and amenities.   

 

        Underlining the need for synergy between the Administration, MP, citizens, political parties and all other stake holders, the Lt Governor observed that effective coordination and team work will help achieve the set targets in an efficient manner. “Everyone will be consulted and everyone’s views and opinions will be heard, but decisions will be taken in the best interest of the Islands”, the LG said.

 

        Referring to the issue raised by the Hon’ble MP for providing coaching to some of the selected students of the Islands for higher educational institutions in mainland like the IITs, the Lt Governor directed the Secretary (Education) to tie up with some of the top coaching institutions in mainland so that our students get opportunity for better coaching facilities. 

 

        Highlighting some of the major achievements in the education sector, the Lt Governor observed that during the past one year, education sector had witnessed remarkable growth. Vacancies for 422 posts of teachers were advertised, of which 272 posts were filled up. The left out vacancies will be filled up shortly. English medium has been introduced in 6 schools, free textbook distribution scheme was introduced for the benefit of students hailing from economically weaker section of class IX to Class XII and a modern hostel for the girl students of DBRAIT was inaugurated recently. Besides, Tamil & Bengali languages have been introduced at the degree level in JNRM. He also noted with appreciation that this year there was a 6% increase in the class XII results.  

 

        Turning to the parents, the Lt Governor urged them not to force their children to opt for subjects of parent’s choice, rather allow them to select subjects of their own interest. On the proposed Medical College, the Lt Governor said the Administration is determined to start the Medical College by next year, so that the islanders and students get full benefit.

 

        Referring to the important issue of revenue generation verses expenditure, the Lt Governor observed that “we have to seriously think how to generate more revenue, prioritise projects and ensure optimise utilization of the fund”.    

             

        The Lt Governor concluded by saying that “Let’s not become captive of the past. Let’s learn from the past so that we improve our today and secure for our children, a better future”. 

        Speaking on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray expressed his gratitude to the Lt. Governor for the efforts made towards opening the new college (Andaman College) and said that this is a great gift for islands’ students who desire to pursue higher education as only few of them get admission in colleges here. With the coming up of the new college, more students will get higher education in the Island itself instead of going to mainland for higher studies, he said.

 

        The Member of Parliament also highlighted various developmental projects, which will be taken up in the islands. These include construction of two bridges on the ATR, construction of roads under PMGSY to connect every village of the islands in next five years, which he said need to be included in the plan, besides, optical fibre cable connection, connecting all islands. He explained in detail various deliberations in Parliament, as also efforts of his meetings with various ministers.

 

        In his welcome address, the Secretary (Edn.), Shri Devinder Singh said that the Lt. Governor had set Education as a high priority and as a result, this college had come up. He also informed that the Education Department will leave no stone unturned in making the college as one of the best in the country. The vote of thanks was delivered by the Principal, ANCOL, Dr R. Devdas.

 

        Miss Sameena, a student of the college also shared her experiences in the new college after she got admission here.