Shillong, October 16 : Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma attended the Closing Ceremony of the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of Nongkrem Government Upper Primary School, East Khasi Hills, and lauded the institution’s 75 years of contribution to education and community development.
He congratulated the school’s past and present principals, teachers, and students for their dedication, stating that their efforts have built a legacy of excellence and service to society.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasized that the growth of the State depends on the strength of its human capital. “Our government has accorded priority towards educational infrastructure development. Initiatives to improve schools, streamline teacher salaries, and promote sports and academic programmes are all part of building a stronger generation,” he said.
He informed that the State Government has made massive investments across sectors, particularly in education. “We believe that the greatest investment is in human capital. All other investments will have little meaning if our people are not empowered,” he remarked.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s unique approach, Sangma informed that it is the only State in the Northeast that extends financial support to private schools through grant-in-aid. “We spend ₹1,967 crore on teachers’ salaries—₹684 crore for government school teachers and ₹917 crore for adhoc teachers and private school support,” he revealed, adding that over 4,000 private schools benefit from this initiative.
He acknowledged, however, that learning outcomes need improvement, emphasizing the need to train and qualify teachers to raise education standards. “We are investing heavily, but the return on this investment must reflect in better learning outcomes. Our focus now is on capacity building and quality teaching,” he said.
Responding to calls for the upgradation of Nongkrem Government Upper Primary School, the Chief Minister said the government would hold consultations on the proposal but assured that the school would receive support for smart classrooms and computer rooms under the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF).
He also announced that musical instruments will be provided to the school to promote music and creative arts among students. Reaffirming his personal connection to Nongkrem, Sangma pledged continued government support for the development and welfare of the community.
Earlier, B. J. Kharshandi, Director, Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), praised the school for maintaining high standards despite modest resources, serving 128 students with 12 teachers.
He highlighted three key priorities for the education sector : Ensuring quality education across all levels, Recruitment of qualified teachers to strengthen school systems, Upholding teacher dedication and accountability to guarantee effective learning for every child.
The Chief Minister also released the Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, commemorating the school’s 75-year journey of nurturing generations of students.
