Shillong: The Meghalaya cabinet on Friday approved the introduction of community-integrated skill learning for students of classes 6 to 10 and allowed private candidates to appear for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said after a cabinet meeting.
Addressing reporters, Sangma said the community-integrated skill learning (CISL) programme will be introduced as a structured curricular component by integrating it with the existing health and physical education subject, which is currently taught largely through textbooks.
The move aims to shift learning from a purely theoretical approach to a more practical, experience-based model.
Under the initiative, students will be encouraged to identify one or more skills based on their interests and their family or community background.
These may include agricultural practices, traditional crafts or other locally available skills, which students will learn, practise and demonstrate as part of the curriculum.
“This initiative is designed to help students develop productive skills, preserve traditional occupations and strengthen family and community participation in education. It is not intended to compel students to follow their parents’ professions, but to help them appreciate local livelihoods while building useful skills for the future,” the chief minister said.
The cabinet also approved a new provision allowing the admission and registration of private candidates for the SSLC examinations under the Meghalaya Board of School Education.
Sangma said the decision would benefit those who were unable to clear the matric examination earlier or had to discontinue their studies after Class 8 due to various circumstances, by simplifying the process to complete Class 10.
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In addition, Sangma announced the Meghalaya Day Awardees for 2026. Dr Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih has been selected for the U Tirot Sing Award for Arts and Literature, Father Benoy Joseph for the Pa Togan Sangma Award for Social Services, and Riiohlang Dhar for the U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports and Games.
The cabinet also approved the Meghalaya Border Areas Development Service (Amendment) Rules, 2025, and cleared the extension of services of several senior officials and advisers.
It further approved the Republic Day speech for 2026 and the nomination of VIPs to take the salute during the parade, with the chief minister noting that preparations for the celebrations are underway.
