NCERT textbooks for Classes 1 to 10 were officially released today in the State.
The textbooks will be used in the lower primary, upper primary and secondary school levels from the academic session of 2024.
This comes as a significant stride by the Education Department and the Government of Meghalaya in using NCERT books to ensure a comprehensive coverage of subjects and topics, and also better prepare the youth for competitive and entrance exams at the national level.
The NCERT textbooks were released by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma for Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) at the Teachers Initiative Conclave, held at Harding Theological College, Tura in presence of MLAs Rupert Momin, Sanjay A. Sangma, Arbinstone Marak and officials of MBOSE and Education Department.
At the Teacher Initiation Conclave, the chief minister and education minister handed over appointment letters to 458 newly recruited government lower primary school teachers. This is for the first time that such recruitment has taken place after the roster system was put in place.
The appointment letters distributed today include 94 for North Garo Hills, 66 for East Garo Hills, 67 for South West Garo Hills, 151 for South Garo Hills, and 80 for West Garo Hills. The distribution of appointment letters for new teachers of Khasi, Jaintia and Ri-Bhoi regions is expected to be held in Shillong on February 6.
“As a government we are committed to improve education in rural areas and the appointment of qualified teachers will greatly enhance the performance of students from a young age thereby improving the overall quality of education across the State,” the chief minister said, while speaking at the conclave.
He said that education has been at the centre for the transformative change and the vision that the State has envisioned. “Education has been at the centre of the transformative story of our State. We have gone through 52 years as a state, and in the last 5 years, our government has been moving with a vision of wanting to take the state forward,” he added.
Drawing a comparison between population of New Zealand and Meghalaya, Sangma said, “New Zealand has a population of 52 lakh, whereas Meghalaya has a population of 38 lakh, our economy is 5 billion dollars, roughly 40,000 crore, while New Zealand, has economy of around 300 billion dollars, which is 20 times more than us”.
Stating that developed countries like New Zealand have made huge investments in human capital including education, research and technology. Sangma said that Meghalaya has prioritised education and is making investment in education to ensure overall growth and development of the State.
“For over 45 years, the education sector in the State was not given the due attention it deserved. Our government has started making investment in education to achieve the objective of ensuring growth and development. As a government, we have been putting a lot of thrust on building school infrastructure and development of human capital,” he added.
Congratulating the newly appointed teachers, Education Minister Rakkam Sangma said that teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the young minds of the State. He said that being a teacher is not an easy job as it requires a lot of sacrifice to better the lives of young children. He said that children imbibe qualities from their teachers and it is incumbent on them to be an example before them.
“In my experience as a teacher, students and society expect the best qualities and standards in teachers,” he said. He highlighted the decreasing number of students in government schools and strongly stated that it is due to the quality of education.
“It is my earnest request to our teachers to give the best possible education that you can offer as you are the ones who will help shape the future of the next generation,” he added.
Lok Sabha MP Agatha K. Sangma reminded the teachers of a message from her father Late Purno Agitok Sangma on values that teachers should imbibe while imparting teaching. Quoting her father, she said, “Planting human is a great contribution for generation to come”
School Education & Literacy Director, Swapnil Tembe presented the audience with an insightful picture of the existing programmes and current state of Meghalaya’s education frameworks. He urged the teachers to tap into the existing ecosystem and make the most of the tools and platforms provided to help augment their teaching efficiency.
