By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 13: The Meghalaya government has shifted its focus from a scheme-driven approach to a purpose-driven one in order to address the challenges and problems affecting the growth of the state, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Thursday.
He was addressing the Meghalaya Education Symposium 2023, organised by the Education Department to commemorate the 50th year of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE).
“Our government has started to look at things differently, not just scheme-based implementation. We are assessing the impact of the schemes and our intervention, as we understand that a change in the mindset and the way we look at the problems differently will ensure that we address the concerns,” he said.
“The biggest change that is needed in our state, or any other state for that matter, is the change in the mindset that will take our society forward,” Sangma emphasised.
He highlighted the significance of adopting a holistic perspective that encompasses education, health, and well-being throughout a person’s lifecycle, while designing programmes, and interventions in the education sector.
The CM affirmed that education, health, and well-being should not be confined to the school setting alone. “It starts from conception of a child to the first 1,000 days, early childhood, adolescence, and finally adulthood. Therefore, a holistic and purpose-driven approach is what we follow, and this marks the government’s commitment to doing things differently,” he said.
He pointed out that the education symposium serves as a testament to the government’s commitment to revamping the education sector and embracing innovative approaches. By fostering a purpose-driven mindset and putting students at the centre of decision-making, Meghalaya aims to become a trailblazer in transforming education, he said.
Referring to the flagship MOTHER programme, he said Meghalaya is pioneering a programme that integrates health, education, rural development, and social welfare to prioritize the well-being of the mother and child. This unique approach places the spotlight on the stakeholders who play a crucial role in shaping the future of education, he said.
The CM admitted that earlier, decision-making in education often revolved around politicians, teachers, and managing committees rather than prioritising the students. “We forgot that it is the students for whom we are doing all this, and maybe this is where we went wrong,” he said, emphasising the need to rectify the oversight.
He also said several interventions have been taken in the past few years, to renovate and construct government school infrastructure across the state.
“Over the past 50 years, MBoSE has played a pivotal role in providing invaluable services to the children and youth of Meghalaya. Despite the numerous challenges, MBoSE remains dedicated to continuously improving the education sector,” he added.
Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma spoke about the National Education Policy 2020, which he said has been crafted with the aim of transforming India into a prominent knowledge hub.
“It is a shared objective of both the central and state governments to showcase our potential in propelling the nation forward. While we do face challenges, we must stay one step ahead by embracing emerging technologies and adequately preparing our children for the future,” the minister said.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh spoke about providing equal opportunities and access to education for all students in the state. “Through education, we can alter the perceptions of our students and the general public, encouraging them to move away from a narrow-minded mentality,” she said.
The CM and other dignitaries felicitated the toppers of the SSLC and HSSLC examinations 2023 on the occasion. Swapnil Bhattacharya, the only candidate to clear the UPSC CSE 2022-23 examination from the state, was also felicitated.