The Meghalaya government is in the process of identifying 50 schools across the state to allocate building grants for construction of additional classrooms and introduction of higher secondary schools.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that the scheme will be rolled out to both government and private institutions in selected locations, on a need basis, for the introduction of higher secondary sections. He added that schools will have to fulfil certain criteria set by the Education Department, viz., student enrolment, pass percentage from previous years, etc.
“Schools in selected areas that fulfil criteria set by the government will be eligible for the scheme for a one-time building grant,” he said, while stating that the initiative has been taken up to ensure that students who pass out of matriculation exams get the opportunity for higher education.
Sangma was in Tura to inaugurate the new classrooms for Bidanchi Higher Secondary School.
The four new classrooms were constructed with assistance from the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF). He also announced an additional Rs10 lakh to the school for the introduction of a higher secondary segment from this academic session.
Lauding the Education Department for taking a number of interventions to support and guide students preparing for the Class X board exam, including CM–IMPACT guide books, he said, “Close to 60,000 students appear for the SSLC exam every year, and the pass percentage was roughly 25 per cent, particularly from rural areas. We were not able to nurture the dreams of our students, and this year’s result is very satisfying as most of our students have passed the exam. There are critics who have different views on this, but as a government and personally, I am extremely happy to see that our children have passed the exam and will take up higher studies.”
He informed that the grant will be up to Rs 50 lakh as a one-time grant for school building construction.
Speaking on the contribution of the school in Tura, he lauded the management for continuing to serve society despite challenges over the years. He also inaugurated the newly constructed “Active Learning Centre” at Bidanchi School.
Terming investment in the youth as an investment in the future, he said, “The youth of our nation are our greatest strength, our opportunity, and our challenge. Any expenditure on their education is an investment in the future of our state and the country. India’s rise as a global superpower will depend on how we nurture our young generation.”
He also expressed the government’s commitment to improving grassroots education infrastructure and ensuring that every child—regardless of geography—has access to quality and inclusive education. “Our goal is not just to build structures, but to build futures,” he said.
