Shillong, Dec 19: The Meghalaya cabinet has cleared a new State Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage of schooling, with one of the key features being the compulsory inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages for all students.
The revised syllabi for preschool and Class 1 come along with newly-developed textbooks.
Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting held on Friday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the approved framework marks a significant shift in early childhood education in the state. He confirmed that the updated syllabus for preschool and Class 1 has been finalised and will be supported by new learning materials.
According to the CM, the framework places special focus on shaping a child’s personality during the early years, while also promoting value-based education and an understanding of Meghalaya’s culture and history. He said these elements have been consciously integrated into the foundational stage of learning.
Sangma further announced that learning Khasi and Garo will now be mandatory for every child, with textbooks in both languages formally included in the curriculum.
He added that the curriculum has been redesigned to simplify basic concepts and make learning more accessible for young children. While some schools are set to introduce the new syllabus in the upcoming academic session, the use of the revised textbooks will remain optional for the current year.
From the next academic year onwards, however, the new curriculum and textbooks will be made compulsory across all schools in the state, Sangma said, adding that the cabinet has approved the phased rollout of the framework.
