Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday inaugurated the two-day MPOWER Education Action Conclave 2025, organised in collaboration with the Meghalaya Education Department.
The event was attended by Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil Ahammed, Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, and senior officials from the education and administrative departments.
Addressing the inaugural session, Sangma said the government and its departments must refocus their priorities to ensure that children remain at the heart of all educational policies.
“As a government, as the Department of Education, and as teachers, we must focus on the child — that should be our driving force,” he said.
Highlighting the objective of the MPOWER initiative, the chief minister said it seeks not only to identify challenges faced by adolescents but also to provide solutions.
He noted that the programme addresses key issues such as school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, and substance abuse by nurturing the emotional and psychological well-being of young people.
Sangma emphasised that reforms in the education sector require time and patience, stating that the impact of current policy decisions will be visible only after a decade or more.
“Education is transformative, but it doesn’t change overnight. We have started the motion and laid the foundation for lasting change,” he said.
He pointed out that Meghalaya’s education system faces structural challenges, including the existence of multiple school categories.
With over 14,000 schools across the state, he said, rationalisation is a major priority.
The government is also working to introduce a structured system to provide stability and assurance to SSA and ad-hoc teachers.
The chief minister also announced the launch of the CM Mission for 100% Toilets, aimed at ensuring clean, water-supplied toilets in all schools, tourist spots, offices, hospitals, and public spaces across Meghalaya.
“This mission goes beyond schools — it will guarantee universal sanitation and access to hygienic washrooms across the state,” he said.
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Sangma further acknowledged the crucial role of education officials at various administrative levels in implementing the government’s vision and policies.
MPOWER Meghalaya is a government-led initiative supported by the World Bank, designed to enhance the well-being and empowerment of adolescents aged 9 to 19.
The project addresses challenges such as high dropout rates and teenage pregnancies through an integrated approach linking education, health, and skill development.
The two-day conclave will feature sessions on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), rationalisation of schools, teacher training, PM POSHAN, PM SHRI, Ekalavya Model Residential Schools, KGBV schools, and the role of media in education, among other key topics.
