CM inaugurates STEAM Lab, shooting range at CMMS Assam Lingzey first anniversary event

AJAY THAMI

ASSAM LINGZEY,: The Chief Minister’s Model School (CMMS) at Assam Lingzey celebrated its first foundation day on Saturday with Chief Minister P.S. Golay attending the event as the chief guest. The school was established under the Sikkim Model Schools Act, 2025 and inaugurated last year with 58 students.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister congratulated the school management, teachers and staff on successfully completing one year and reiterated the government's commitment to transforming CMMS Assam Lingzey into a model institution not only for Sikkim but for the entire country.

“We want to make this school a model in the State as well as in the country,” he said, assuring that all necessary infrastructure and resources would be provided to ensure students graduate with both academic excellence and practical skills needed to compete globally.

Golay urged parents to assess the progress of their children after a year at the institution, stating that the school's dedicated teachers had played a crucial role in shaping students into confident and capable individuals.

Highlighting the government's focus on education, health and tourism, the Chief Minister informed that the State has witnessed steady improvement in board examination results. He also pointed to Sikkim's recent achievement of becoming a fully literate State under ULLAS programme and said the next goal was to secure 100 per cent pass results in board examinations.

The Chief Minister emphasized that government schools possess better infrastructure and qualified teachers than many private institutions and expressed confidence that every government school in the State would eventually be developed into a model school. He also announced plans to create a separate cadre for model school teachers, giving priority to dedicated educators.

Referring to recent educational developments in the State, Golay mentioned the inauguration of Hee-Gyathang Residential School in Mangan district and informed that CMMS campuses at Chota Samdung and Namthang would soon be inaugurated.

During the first part of the programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Laboratory and a 10-metre indoor air rifle and pistol shooting range. He also visited the vocational and chess rooms and interacted with students.

Education minister Raju Basnet congratulated the school on completing its first year and praised the students' performances. He credited the State's improving board examination results to the Chief Minister Mentorship Programme 2024, which provides coaching to Class X and XII students during the winter vacation.

The minister also highlighted the government's initiative to introduce skill education in all government schools and acknowledged Sikkim's achievement of becoming a fully literate State under ULLAS initiative. He further appealed to the Chief Minister to consider appointing candidates who had cleared the written examination but were unsuccessful in the viva voce during recent primary teacher recruitment.

School director Ujjal Khatiwara, in his welcome address, thanked the Chief Minister for prioritizing education and creating opportunities for students from rural areas to access quality learning. He informed that the school had introduced vocational courses such as carpentry, electrical trade and Thangka painting last year, while plumbing had been added this year.

Khatiwara said every student is engaged in one vocational activity, one outdoor sport and one hobby to ensure holistic development. The school has also partnered with ITI Rangpo, whose trainees serve as resource persons for vocational classes.

He further stated that the newly inaugurated STEAM Lab would expose students to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, rocketry, satellites and design thinking. The indoor shooting range, developed in accordance with National Rifle Association of India standards, has been established with a long-term vision of nurturing shooters capable of competing at national and international levels, including the 2036 Olympics.

Education principal chief engineer Rajdeep Rai presented a technical report on the ongoing CMMS infrastructure project worth Rs. 99.78 crore. The project includes academic blocks, boys' and girls' hostels, the director's bungalow, teachers' and staff quarters, a football ground, volleyball court, indoor sports facilities, CCTV installation, landscaping and beautification works.

Education principal secretary Dr. Sandeep Tambe highlighted the State's achievements in education, including improved board examination results, enhanced student performance in mathematics and the attainment of full literacy.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister distributed certificates and trophies to outstanding students. The celebration featured a school pipe band display, aeromodel demonstrations, group dances, poetry recitations and musical performances by students.

Speaking to this reporter, the parents expressed satisfaction with the quality of education provided by the institution. Gysato Lepcha of Dzongu, father of Class VI student Reebong Lepcha, said he felt fortunate to have his son studying at the school, which he believes will become a model institution for the State and the nation.

Another parent, Suk Bahadur of Mangalbarey, said his son's admission to the school had brought significant positive changes. He noted that the state government bears all educational expenses, easing the financial burden on families.