Shillong, Dec 20: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Friday approved the State Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage of education, introducing a revamped syllabus for preschool and Class I along with new textbooks, and making the study of both Khasi and Garo languages compulsory for all children.
Announcing the decision after chairing the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the new framework is aimed at strengthening early childhood education while promoting the state’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
“The Cabinet has approved the State Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage. The syllabus for preschool and Class I has been approved, and new textbooks have been introduced,” Sangma told reporters.
He said the revised curriculum places strong emphasis on holistic development during the early years of learning.
“During the foundational stages we are focusing on personality development, certain values, and the cultural and historical aspects of the state,” the Chief Minister said.
Under the new framework, all children, irrespective of their background or school, will be required to study both Khasi and Garo languages.
“We are making it mandatory for every child to learn both Khasi and Garo languages. Textbooks in both languages are now part of the curriculum,” Sangma said.
The curriculum has also been restructured to make fundamental concepts easier for young learners to understand.
Sangma clarified that while some schools have already adopted the new syllabus for the upcoming academic year, the use of the full set of newly introduced textbooks will be mandatory from the following year.
“This year we are not making it mandatory; it will be optional for schools to adopt all the proposed textbooks. From next year onwards, it will be mandatory,” he said, adding that the rollout of the new curriculum has been formally approved by the Cabinet.
The move is expected to play a significant role in preserving indigenous languages while strengthening the foundation of early education in the state.
