Tura, May 3: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced on Saturday that the state government will identify 50 schools across Meghalaya to receive building grants for the construction of additional classrooms, aimed at introducing higher secondary sections.
The scheme will be extended to both government and private institutions in selected locations, based on need, to facilitate the introduction of higher secondary sections. The selected schools will be required to meet specific criteria set by the Education Department, including student enrollment and pass percentage from previous years.
“Schools in selected areas that fulfill criteria set by the government will be eligible for the scheme for a one-time building grant,” the Chief Minister stated. He emphasized that the initiative seeks to ensure that students graduating from matriculation exams have access to higher education opportunities.
The Chief Minister made these remarks during the inauguration of new classrooms at Bidanchi Higher Secondary School in Tura. The four new classrooms were constructed with funding from the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF). He also announced an additional ₹10 lakh for the school to support the introduction of a higher secondary segment starting from the current academic session.
Chief Minister Sangma praised the Education Department for its initiatives to support Class X board exam preparation, including the CM–IMPACT guidebooks. He noted the previous low pass percentage, particularly in rural areas, and expressed satisfaction with the improved results this year. “This year’s result is very satisfying as most of our students have passed the exam and will take up higher studies,” he said.
The Chief Minister informed that the one-time grant for school building construction will be up to ₹50 lakh.
He lauded Bidanchi Higher Secondary School’s contribution to society and inaugurated the school’s newly constructed “Active Learning Centre.”
“The youth of our nation are our greatest strength, our opportunity, and our challenge,” the Chief Minister said, adding, “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 reiterated the government’s commitment to improving grassroots education infrastructure and ensuring that every child, regardless of location, has access to quality and inclusive education. “Our goal is not just to build structures, but to build futures,” he concluded.
