By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 28: ‘The primary purpose of education is not just academic excellence, but also confidence building, personality development, and nurturing life skills’, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said at the SPARK Summit 2025 at the District Auditorium, Tura on Friday.
The chief minister graced the summit as it marked one year of the Government of Meghalaya’s flagship programme—SPARK: School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience, and Kindness—implemented under the Department of Education and Samagra Shiksha.
“We are building a generation of confident, kind, and responsible citizens,” the Chief Minister said.
“SPARK reflects our vision for holistic education—one that values emotional well-being and real-life leadership just as much as academics, he added.
The chief minister shared his vision of building a generation of confident, kind, and responsible citizens who will contribute positively to society. As Meghalaya envisions a $10 Billion economy, the Government is determined to scale SPARK across districts.
He emphasized that SPARK aligns with the broader goals of Meghalaya’s education policy, which is focused on holistic learning, emotional well-being, and leadership development.
He also called upon parents, community leaders, and local bodies to support programmes like SPARK to ensure that values of articulation, resilience, and kindness are not only nurtured in classrooms but also reinforced at home and in the community.
The summit began with the formal release of the SPARK Outcomes Report, sharing highlights of the pilot year’s reach and results. Secretary of Education Swapnil Tembe elaborated on the programme’s core frameworks, impact, and the importance of its three foundational pillars: Articulation, Resilience, and Kindness.
Launched in 2024, SPARK was designed to equip adolescents with the soft skills needed for modern life—confidence, clarity in communication, emotional resilience, and a strong foundation of kindness. Over the last year, the initiative reached 5,143 students in 25 schools across 12 districts, using a training curriculum rooted in local language, culture, and lived experience.
The summit hosted a panel discussion featuring educators, administrators, and youth development leaders, which highlighted the relevance of the programme’s three pillars.
The panel deliberated on the challenges, opportunities, and pathways for scaling SPARK, ensuring that its impact reaches every student across the state with panellists—Tyrone D’Brass, Co-founder, Sherwood School, Tura & Headmaster, The Learning Sanctuary, Tura, Sengsrang G Momin, Principal, Rongrenggiri Government Higher Secondary School, Arlinda M Marak, Principal, Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Tura, Bina Tamang, Teacher, Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Tura, Jasmine Pearl Stone Laitphlang, Academics Head, Avenues.
The programme also included the distribution of tablets and the felicitation of school principals, teachers, and students for their leadership and achievements under SPARK—acknowledging their commitment to transforming education and culture in their institutions.
The event additionally showcased the Plasticured Initiative, a sustainability collaboration with AI-VI.IN, Bangalore, promoting environmental awareness and responsible resource use among students.
A moving launch of the SPARK Anthem set the tone for the day—written and arranged by Summersalt and performed live by the band Nokpante, alongside children from the Rhythm School of Music and students from SPARK partner institutions in Tura.
Cultural performances by students from Dadenggre Puri and Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Tura, brought colour and energy to the celebration.