The Meghalaya cabinet today approved the proposed upgradation of six secondary schools to higher secondary schools and introduction of new streams in 11 higher secondary schools.
The state currently has 51,067 Class XI seats, mostly concentrated in urban areas and the Khasi-Jaintia Hills, leaving a shortfall of 12,000 seats.
To bridge this gap, the cabinet has approved the proposal laid down by the Education Department through the upgradation, adding 9,000 seats.
The government secondary schools that will be upgraded to higher secondary schools are, Rymbai Government Secondary School, East Jaintia Hills District, Umthlong Nongthliew Government Secondary School (to include arts and science streams), Nongtalang Government Secondary School, Tirot Sing Memorial Government Secondary School, Laitkynsew, Tura Public School, Jowai Public School
The higher secondary schools that will see the introduction of new streams are Tirot Sing Memorial Government Higher Secondary School, Nongkhlaw; United Kharkutta Government Higher Secondary School, North Garo Hills and Malangkona Government Higher Secondary School. Commerce stream: Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Tura, Dalu Government Higher Secondary School, West Garo Hills, Baghmara Government Higher Secondary School; Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Jowai; and Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School.
Arts stream: Jirang Government Higher Secondary School, Ri Bhoi District; Resubelpara Government Higher Secondary School; and Maharam Government Higher Secondary School, Mawkyrwat.
MDA spokesperson and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh said that the approval is a major step to expand access and ensure more balanced distribution of institutions.
Lyngdoh noted that the financial implication of this ambitious expansion will cost the state exchequer approximately Rs 10 crore annually.
