Shillong, October 20: The Meghalaya School Welfare Development Association–Central Body (MSWDA-CB) has decided to submit a representation to the State Government seeking relaxation of enrolment criteria under the grant-in-aid scheme and to continue its demand for salary enhancement for teachers.
The decision was taken at a general meeting of aided and unaided permitted or recognised schools from the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills districts at Khasi National Dorbar Hall in Shillong on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MSWDA-CB president H. M. Marbaniang said members discussed the difficulties faced by schools in meeting the prescribed student enrolment requirements to qualify for government assistance.
He said the association would urge the government to relax the criteria and consider the circumstances of schools unable to meet the required enrolment strength.
The meeting also discussed teachers’ salaries and the financial challenges faced by schools. Marbaniang said the association would continue to pursue salary enhancement and hold further discussions with the authorities before deciding on its next course of action.
Members also deliberated on the CM-IMPACT PLUS Grant-in-Aid Scheme for Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, which the association said was approved by the State Cabinet on September 15, 2026.
Other issues included the notified list of schools, enrolment requirements, uniform grants, Composite School Grants for eligible students and institutions, and the implementation of the PM-POSHAN scheme.
The association also discussed concerns affecting permitted and recognised unaided Lower Primary and Upper Primary schools, particularly their access to government support.
Marbaniang said the association would pursue its memorandum with the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education. The memorandum covers the National Education Policy, strengthening the Foundational Stage, provision of adequate school infrastructure and relaxation of Pupil-Teacher Ratio requirements under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The School Complex system and its implementation also featured in the meeting. Marbaniang indicated that the association was open to the system but maintained that matters affecting individual institutions would require consideration by their respective school managements.
He said school management bodies would play an important role in examining the proposed arrangements and taking decisions concerning their institutions.
The MSWDA-CB said it would pursue the issues raised during the meeting through representations and further engagement with the State Government and the Union education authorities.
