SHILLONG, SEP 2: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said Meghalaya’s education transformation is anchored in its teachers, asserting that no system can rise above their quality. Speaking at the 65th State-level Teachers’ Day celebration held in advance at Tura, Sangma said, “No education system can rise above the quality of its teachers, however much money we spend on buildings, however many schemes we launch.
“The event, attended by teachers from across Garo Hills and the state, saw the presentation of State Teachers’ Awards and District Teachers’ Awards 2026, Best Scout Master & Guide Captain Awards and assistance under Teachers’ Welfare Fund.
The Chief Minister said true recognition goes beyond awardees.
“Recognition does not belong only to those who receive an award today, but equally to the teacher in a single-teacher school in a border village, doing this work without an audience, without applause, simply because a child is depending on them,” he said.
Tracing the journey since 2018, Sangma recalled being told Rs 3,000 crore was needed to overhaul school infrastructure.
“I stared at the screen and said I don’t have Rs 3,000 crore. But I said let us start, even if with 10 schools. Every long journey starts with the first step,” he said.
Through Mission Education, the state has since upgraded over 2,000 elementary government schools and increased higher secondary schools from 427 to 545, he said.
On funding, he said the maximum share of his Special Development Fund – Rs 150-180 crore out of Rs 300-400 crore spent in eight years – went to education, besides Rs 600-700 crore spent through the Education Department and CSR funds fully channelled to the sector.
Sangma said Meghalaya recorded the country’s largest single-year jump in the Performance Grading Index, moving from Akanshi-3 to Akanshi-1 with scores rising from 448 to 525.7 out of 1000 – a 77.7-point rise in a year and 124 points cumulatively in four years.
This is reflected in this year’s 97.2% pass in SSLC, 86.6% in HSSLC, Class X to XI transition rising to 82.1%, ahead of the national average, and a sharp fall in secondary dropout.To sustain gains, the government launched Meghalaya School Performance Grading Index covering 11,443 schools across 12 districts on 5 domains and 43 indicators. The top school scored 930 out of 1000. East Khasi Hills accounts for 48 of the top 100 schools, Ri Bhoi 16.In Garo Hills, West Garo Hills leads with 9 schools in the overall top 100. Top performers include Montfort PM SHRI LPS, Montfort Higher Secondary, Dalu Govt PM SHRI Hr Sec, Shyamnagar Govt PM SHRI and Tura Public School.
District top scores are West Garo Hills 892, East Garo Hills 838, South Garo Hills 808, North Garo Hills 775 and South West Garo Hills 752.
“The MSPGI is not a scoreboard to win or lose, but a map that tells every teacher and school precisely where to direct next year’s effort,” Sangma said.
Calling on teachers to remember their larger purpose, he said, “We get so involved in the day-to-day activity of finishing courses from 9 to 5 that we forget the purpose. Purpose of every teacher is to shape the lives of youth, and while shaping youth, you shape the future of the country.”
He directed officials to inspect one to two schools every week or fortnight and upload findings on leakage, furniture and drinking water for direct review by the Commissioner & Secretary, Director and Chief Minister.
“This journey will continue. We will never give up. We are determined that the education sector must transform,” he said, urging all to be “part of solution, not part of problem” and to filter every decision through one question: Will it help students?
