EXCLUSIVE
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During a high-level review meeting at IIM Shillong, Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, and Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma discussed the implementation of key centrally sponsored schemes, including Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), the National Education Policy (NEP), and Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA).
The meeting emphasized the pressing challenges in Meghalaya’s education sector, particularly the urgent need for school infrastructure upgrades and reducing dropout rates. Chaudhary stressed the importance of improving secondary and senior secondary education to boost enrolment and align with NEP goals, while both ministers acknowledged progress made and emphasized the need for continued efforts to strengthen the state’s education system.
Chaudhary highlighted the infrastructure challenges faced by the state, particularly in higher education. “The main issues are with infrastructure. While there are a large number of primary schools, the number of seats decreases significantly as you move up to secondary and senior secondary levels, which is impacting our gross enrolment. Many schools lack basic infrastructure, such as electrification, drinking water access, and toilet facilities, especially for girls. There are many metrics to improve,” he said.
He commended the state’s efforts but stressed the need for further progress, particularly in implementing the National Education Policy. “We also reviewed the implementation of the National Education Policy. On several fronts, the state government has done admirably well, but a lot more needs to be done,” Chaudhary added.
He also spoke about the central government’s support through Samagra Shiksha in addressing infrastructural issues, such as electrification in schools. “Under Samagra Shiksha, the central government provides support for electrification. I was informed that the Solar Mission has been given a large mandate to meet this requirement, so solar energy can be utilized to provide electricity to schools,” Chaudhary explained.
In addition, Chaudhary praised the ongoing teachers’ training programs being conducted in collaboration with IIM Shillong. “Teacher training programs are being conducted at this prestigious institute. The state government has an arrangement with IIM Shillong to send its teachers for training. It’s an ongoing process,” he said.
Meghalaya’s Education Minister, Rakkam A. Sangma, provided insights into the review of the schemes and challenges. “The review covered key issues like enrolment and dropout rates, as well as the challenges we face in the education sector,” Sangma noted.
Sangma also pointed out the state’s efforts in improving infrastructure. “Last year, we renovated over 2,044 school buildings. However, more than a hundred schools were left out of the Mission Education initiative. We aim to complete the reconstruction and renovation of all government schools within the next two to three years, with around five hundred schools still awaiting completion,” he said.
Both ministers expressed optimism that the meeting would lead to addressing the state’s educational challenges, with Chaudhary pledging continued support for improving education in Meghalaya.