Shillong, Oct 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today inaugurated the renovated building of Rimrangpara Higher Secondary School in presence of MLA Gambegre Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma and MLA Chokpot Sengchim Sangma.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said education is accorded highest priority by the Government.”Every year we spend Rs. 20,000 crore for different interventions in the State, of which Rs. 4000 crore is for education sector alone, because education is most important,” he said.
He said Government is working for overall reform in education sector despite many challenges – different categories of schools, infrastructure issues, teachers’ salary concerns, dilapidated buildings and poor SSLC results in past.
“In the past over 75 percent children failed their SSLC exam in Garo Hills region. Government schools had to function from poor infrastructure. Despite problems, in the last eight years, the NPP led Government has worked tirelessly to serve our people and improve the education scenario,” he said.
On Ringrangpara HS School, he said, “For a long time, the students and teachers of this school have managed in a building that badly needed repair. Today we open the renovated building, and I am glad that this work was supported through Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund.
The fund exists for exactly this purpose: to respond quickly when a community tells us what it needs most. Rs. 14 lakh was sanctioned for renovation of Rimrangpara HS School,” he said. He thanked School Managing Committee, teachers, church and community for pushing for it and MLA for following it up. “Good things in a village happen when people keep asking and keep working together,” he added.
The Chief Minister said under Mission Education, aim is simple: every government school in Meghalaya should reach a defined minimum standard of classrooms, facilities and basic amenities.
“When we looked at our schools some years ago, we found many had been running for decades in buildings that were broken, unsafe, or temporary. No child learns well in a classroom where roof leaks or there is nowhere to sit. So far more than 2,000 schools across State have been upgraded. Just last month, on 23rd September, more than 80 new school buildings were inaugurated in a single day,” he said.
Education today receives highest budget allocation. Government is not stopping at buildings – through CM IMPACT, students can now use online tutoring platform with chapter-wise lessons, chatbot to answer questions, and mock tests, and Government is working to make it available offline as well for places where network is weak.
On improvement in SSLC results, he said, “This year 86.84 percent of students passed SSLC examination. In Higher Secondary, pass percentage was above 83 percent in Science, Arts and Commerce alike. And in national Performance Grading Index for school education, Meghalaya’s score has risen from 448 in 2024 to 525.71 in 2026,” he informed.
“But I will be honest with you. A good building is a beginning, not the finish. Many rural schools still do not have reliable electricity, safe drinking water, internet, proper library or science laboratory. Many still need more teachers. Earlier this year I asked Education Department to prepare roadmap for exactly these gaps, school by school, with clear timelines and funds required. It will take time. I would rather tell you that plainly than promise everything at once. What I can promise is that we will keep at it,” he said.
“What is our biggest problem in education – 9000 Govt LP schools, upper primary 3000, secondary 1700 and higher secondary 500, colleges 80 – the ratio does not allow our children to study, even if they want to pursue, there is no scope, where will they take admission. We want to work to change situation,” he said.
To address it, Government in last 8 years has: Opened 23 new People’s Colleges, Constructed new college buildings for Baghmara and Williamnagar, started new college in Mahendraganj, New State University, Engineering College in Shillong amongst others.
Structured pay framework for over 23,000 Adhoc and SSA teachers – close to Rs. 800 Cr earmarked for salaries. Decision to support 700 schools with financial aid through CM Impact Plus are intervention to create a turnaround, he informed.
“While Government is directly repairing all Govt Primary and Upper Primary schools, for Adhoc, Deficit and other categories, support is being extended through CMSDF, CSR and MLA funds”, he added.
On request of MLA Mehtab Chandee for gallery at Rimrangpara School playground, CM assured work will be initiated in phase-wise manner.
Speaking during the occasion, MLA Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma said: “During my bye-election campaign, I witnessed poor condition of this school, people and SMC apprised me to upgrade infrastructure. School had leaking roofs, very difficult for children. It is not a Government school but when I apprised CM he immediately agreed to help and support school with funding and I thank him for sanctioning funds through CMSDF. Through CMSDF I am able to take up many welfare projects with support from CM. I am glad CM has continuously supported Gambegre.”
She urged teachers to provide quality learning atmosphere and parents/students to cooperate. She also urged CM to support more Higher Secondary schools in rural Garo Hills as absence of HS schools forces dropouts after Class X, and to sanction gallery for Rimrangpara playground.
