By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 15: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday urged teachers to look beyond routine classroom duties and recognise their role in shaping the future of the state, reaffirming that education remains central to the government’s long-term development strategy.
“I urge our teachers to remind themselves every morning before they start the class: you are not here just to finish the syllabus, complete a period, or get through the day—you are here because every moment you spend with the child helps shape their future,” he said.
Emphasising the lasting impact of teachers, the Chief Minister said, “What you say or do in the classroom, and how you treat the children will define who they become…I encourage you to look beyond the challenges and focus on the greater purpose of what you are doing in the school.”
“Remember, you are shaping the future of Meghalaya—shaping the future generation who will take the state forward,” he added.
Stating that education continues to be the top priority of the government, Sangma outlined a broader economic vision anchored on three key pillars — infrastructure, equity and community.
He said the government is pushing infrastructure development across sectors and ensuring that growth reaches every section of society.
“While development and infrastructure are important, they are incomplete if they do not touch the lives of every individual,” he said, adding that sectors such as education, health and social welfare are being strengthened to ensure inclusivity.
Highlighting the importance of preserving identity, he said that no amount of development or schemes will have any meaning “if our roots, identity and culture are forgotten.”
He stressed that all development efforts ultimately hinge on investments in education and youth.
“At the end of the day, if we fail to invest in our youth, educate them and improve the education system, then none of our efforts can be sustained,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that government interventions in the education sector are driven by a larger vision and not limited to infrastructure or distribution of resources.
Sangma said the government has taken a “very difficult decision” to introduce a structured pay framework for teachers, particularly those under SSA and ad hoc categories.
“No government could do it in the past because there is a huge financial burden, but we took the decision because it is not about money or expenditure—it is an investment in teachers and children,” he said.
“The money spent today on teachers and building education system will yield returns for years to come. That is our commitment,” he said.
