Pokhara, Apr 8:Minister of State for Land Reforms and Management Gopal Rai inaugurated the golden jubilee and the reunion day of the local national higher secondary school here on Friday.

On the occasion, Minister of State Rai also unveiled a stone inscription in honour of the Parajuli family who donated land for the Higher Secondary School at the Purano Tundikhel.

Minister of State Rai gave away letters of commendation, prizes and certificates to individuals contributing to the development of the school, teachers and school staff completing more than 20 years of service with the school and students for their excellence.

He also gave away the “Shyam Prasad Panta Memorial Award” and the “Bataju Scholarship Grants” on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Mr.  Rai said the present Nepali Congress government was committed to consolidating the law and order situation and corruption control in the country. He also dwelt on conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage.

Member of Parliament Mahadev Gurung  underlined the need for the important role of teachers, students and the parents in improving the quality of education and enhancing the reputation of the school.

Prakash Bahadur Gurung, MP, stressed that the knowledge gained through education should be used to solve the day to day problems in life.

Ram Janam Chaudhari, MP,  underlined the need for reforming the education policy in order to develop the education sector.

Rajparishad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung, district education officer Yogendra Basnet, Ajad Shrestha, educationist Pradip Shankar Palikhe, Prem Bahadur Shrestha, ward chairman Man Bahadur Gurung, teacher Krishna Udhasi and school principal Hari Prasad Khanal also expressed their views at the programme presided over by acting president of the programme organising committee Tirtha Shrestha.

On the occasion, mother of the National Sports Council (NSC) member-secretary Binod Shankar Palikhe, Mrs.  Uttara Kumari Palikhe handed over   various sports goods to the school on behalf of her son.

Dr. Jagdish Lal Baidya and brothers handed over  Rs 101,111 for the “Manik Lal and Sindhu Kumari Baidya Scholarship Fund” set up in memory of their late parents.

On Friday, Minister of State for Land Reforms and Management Gopal Rai inaugurated a newly constructed building of Karunanidhi Vidyashram at Simpani Pokhara.

The two storey building was constructed at a cost of Rs 5 million.

Lady teachers of Switzerland contributed to the building of the school which runs classes up to seventh grade. Agriculture Development Bank has also provided loans for it.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Mr. Rai said schools should play a crucial role in strengthening the educational sector.

The State Minister also gave away letters of honour to various individuals for their contribution to the school building.

A host of other speakers including MP Prakash Bahadur Gurung, Rajparishad member Ganesh Bahadur Gurung and assistant dean Dr Tirtharaj Parajuli also spoke at the function chaired by chairman of the Vidyaashram Management Committee Ram Chandra Paudel.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rai, in a meet with Nepali Congress workers yesterday, said the government will work in such a manner that people’s morale would be boosted.