Shillong, April 07: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has attributed the excellent performance of students in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations this year to the Meghalaya government’s continued focus on prioritising education, while also urging students to make better use of local colleges for higher studies.
“The results speak for themselves, with only 6000-odd students not making it out of the total number who appeared,” Rymbui told reporters on Tuesday, adding that the improved outcomes reflect sustained efforts by both the government and educational institutions.
Encouraging students who did not pass, the Minister appealed to them to take advantage of the upcoming SSLC supplementary examinations scheduled for May. “There’s always a second chance… I wish those who didn’t make it to take this opportunity,” he said.
Rymbui highlighted that students from a diverse range of schools, including those in rural areas, have performed well this year, which he said demonstrates the positive impact of government interventions and the commitment of schools to improving educational standards.
Crediting initiatives such as the introduction of help books and other reforms, the Minister said the government has been consistently addressing challenges in the education sector since 2018. “We’ve prioritised education, addressing concerns and transforming the system for the betterment of students,” he stated.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Rymbui added, “We’ll continue to address shortcomings, ensuring our students receive the best.”
At the same time, the Education Minister expressed concern over the increasing trend of students moving to cities for higher studies despite the availability of courses closer to their homes. “This is very discouraging for us, the state government,” he said.
He urged students to consider enrolling in local institutions, citing examples such as Khraw Sing College at Mawphlang, Patharkhmah, and Nongtalang. “We have invested money… So please make use of those institutions for your own studies,” he appealed.
Emphasising that investments in education are made from public funds, Rymbui said, “Once we invest money, it is not from the pocket of Rymbui, it is from the state’s exchequer,” cautioning that continued neglect of local colleges could result in resources being concentrated in a few urban centres.
