The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has criticised the introduction of CM IMPACT guidebooks by the State government under the initiative of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
In a statement issued today, VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said that these guidebooks, aimed at improving Class X pass rates in Science and Social Science, reflect a failure to enhance education through meaningful reforms and “relying on superficial methods that prioritise numbers over true learning.”
“The MDA government has failed to improve education through proper teaching methods, opting for shortcuts to inflate pass percentages without fostering real understanding or skills in students. This initiative focuses on producing certificate holders rather than students equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for life and higher education,” Myrboh said.
He also said that the introduction of guidebooks undermines the expertise of teachers, implying that they need “cheat sheets” to instruct students, thereby diminishing their professional autonomy.
“The process for selecting contributors to these guidebooks remains opaque. Public money, not the chief minister’s personal funds, is being used, and the public deserves transparency on how it is spent. Branding the guidebooks with the term ‘CM’ is a blatant politicisation of education, turning students into tools for political gain rather than focusing on their development,” the VPP spokesperson said.
Demanding for immediate cessation of these guidebooks, “as they promote rote learning and undermine true educational growth”, Myrboh said, “Genuine reform should support teachers and empower students to learn, not simply pass exams.”
The VPP also urged the MDA government to focus on long-term educational reforms that address core issues like infrastructure, teacher training, and equitable access to resources, instead of prioritising short-term statistical gains.
