63rd State-Level Teachers’ Day celebration
SHILLONG/JOWAI, Sep 5: The 63rd state-level Teachers’ Day celebration was held at U Soso Tham Auditorium on Thursday, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma as the chief guest and Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma as the guest of honour. The event highlighted the significance of teachers and their vital role in shaping the future of the state’s children.
Teachers from across the state were recognised for their exemplary services, with 14 teachers from various districts receiving state awards for their distinguished service, and 36 educators being presented with district awards.
Special awards were also given, including the recognition of Cathrene Nongrum, Assistant Teacher at the School and Centre for Hearing Handicapped Children, Shillong.
In his address, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma introduced school exchange programmes aimed at fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment. He emphasised that healthy competition among schools at the district level could be beneficial, suggesting that schools be awarded based on various criteria beyond just academic results. “Schools can share best practices with one another, creating a supportive atmosphere where they uplift each other,” he stated.
The CM also proposed exchange programmes between schools across different districts to enhance students’ understanding of diverse cultures and provide exposure beyond their local environments. “These programmes will not only give students a broader perspective but also create opportunities for them to appreciate the diversity within the state,” Sangma added.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of integrating local languages into the curriculum up to Class 5 to promote the region’s linguistic heritage.
During the event, the Chief Minister also launched the CM IMPACT programme, aimed at addressing the low pass percentages in Meghalaya’s SSLC exams. The initiative includes the free distribution of guidebooks, professional support for teachers, and targeted assistance for underperforming schools. Additionally, several new educational tools were introduced, including Curio Bee’s Learning Box for foundational literacy and numeracy skills for young children and the Science Discovery Kit for students in Classes 6 to 8. Several booklets by SSA/DERT and PM POSHAN were also released.
The day featured vibrant performances by students from different schools, adding color to the celebration. Among the distinguished attendees were Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary of Education Vijay Kumar Mantri, Advisor to the Education Department H.M. Shangpliang, and Director of DSEL Swapnil Tembe.
SPARK’s special celebration
As many as 200 children who dropped out of school and other underprivileged children from slums and remote villages made the Teachers’ Day celebration and the 10th Anniversary of SPARK at KJP Assembly Hall, IGP Point, Shillong, a vibrant event.
The celebration saw invitees from different government departments, NGOs, college and university students in attendance. Besides official speeches, a short cultural programme was organised by the underprivileged children.
The chief guest of the occasion, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Rosetta Mary Kurbah, applauded the selfless efforts of social organisation SPARK towards the cause of the underprivileged section of the society.
Grand event in Jowai
The District School Education Officer’s office in West Jaintia Hills marked the 63rd Teachers’ Day with a grand celebration at the District Library Auditorium in Mynthong, Jowai. The event was attended by Amlarem MLA and Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Lahkmen Rymbui, as the chief guest, alongside Additional Deputy Commissioner B Blah, who served as the guest of honour.
In his address, Rymbui lauded the teachers for their selfless dedication to molding the future generation. He noted that the teaching profession has evolved beyond a routine job into a demanding role that requires educators to not only impart knowledge but also guide students toward becoming responsible citizens capable of navigating the complexities of the modern world.
He further emphasised the need for teachers to continuously update their skills, stating that their responsibilities extend beyond academics, preparing students to face an ever-evolving world with resilience and confidence.
During the celebration, several distinguished teachers were honoured with district awards for their outstanding contributions. Among the awardees were Diamond Paswet, Assistant Lecturer, Government Boys Higher Secondary School (Hr. Sec & Sec Level); Emperor Gassah, Head Master, Trangblang Govt UP School, Trangblang (UP Level); Pratap Singh Khonglah, Head Teacher, SR Manner Memo. Government Lower Primary School, Sohkha (LP Level); Carefully Gassah, Scout Master, Assistant Scoutmaster, Jowai Open Scout Troop; and Grecorisa Sana, Guide Captain, Lissi Pearl Guide Company.
The event concluded with students expressing their gratitude through various performances, showcasing their appreciation for the teachers’ hard work and dedication.