Shillong: The Meghalaya government has made it mandatory to include Khasi and Garo languages in the curriculum for children up to Class 1, aiming to simplify learning and strengthen exposure to local culture, officials said on Saturday.
Chairing a cabinet meeting on Friday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the initiative seeks to build cultural identity from the foundational years. “Children must grow with confidence and a sense of belonging. Learning our own languages early helps that,” he stated.
Officials noted that the new textbooks will be optional in the coming academic year and will become compulsory from the next session, as several schools have already finalized their syllabi.
The foundational-stage curriculum, covering preschool to Class 1, focuses on ease of learning, basic values, and early exposure to the state’s history and traditions.
The cabinet also approved a revised pay structure for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and ad hoc teachers, addressing a long-pending demand. Sangma described the move as recognition of their contribution and a step toward greater stability in the education system.
In other decisions, the cabinet cleared a five-year Mission Mode HIV/AIDS project with an outlay of Rs 25 crore, focusing on awareness, infrastructure development, and targeted interventions, approved an amendment to the Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2021, making green building certification mandatory for large constructions.
It also approved the appointment of former Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice S. Vaidyanathan as chairperson of the state Human Rights Commission.
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The cabinet approved the establishment of the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Investment Financing Cooperative Society Ltd to provide working capital and investment support to cooperative societies, as well as the agriculture and food processing sectors.
It also cleared the formation of a National Games Secretariat Society to organize the 39th National Games.
