By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 10: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has defended the move to simplify the SSLC exams and introduce the CM IMPACT Guidebooks in the state.
Speaking to media persons here after felicitating the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination 2026 toppers from Khasi and Jaintia Hills region here on Friday, he admitted that any issue has pros and cons.
Stating that Class X is a basic exam when a child’s dream starts to take shape, he said that when a student fails in Class X, his dreams get over before they even start. “Such a situation leads to depression, and even the confidence level goes down among the young students,” he said.
He pointed out that Class X exams are a basic exam and not like the competitive medical, engineering, or civil service exams. He said that the government decided to support and encourage the students to pass the exams and move forward in life. “It is unfair to snatch the opportunity from children and lead them to a position where they cannot even clear Class X,” the Chief Minister said, asserting that the government will look at different aspects and improve the quality of education.
After the programme, the Chief Minister hosted a breakfast for the SSLC toppers. A similar programme has been lined up for the toppers of the Garo Hills region on April 18.
Congratulating the toppers on their remarkable achievement, Sangma said the pass percentage of SSCL examinations was very low a few years ago, and this disturbed him greatly.
“It was very sad to see the low pass percentage, but things have started improving, and I am positive that in the long run we will be able to bring about significant changes in the education scenario,” he said.
“The purpose of this program today is very simple; it is just to tell you that we are proud of you and your hard work and perseverance is appreciated and recognised,” he said and urged the toppers to carry on with their discipline, persistence, dedication and diligence.
Concern over low
UPSC exam success
Meanwhile, Sangma lamented that very few aspirants from Meghalaya are clearing the UPSC exams.
Expressing concern over the trend, he said that the government would like to see more aspirants from Meghalaya clearing the exam.
He said that to enable more aspirants to clear the exam, the state government would provide financial assistance to those aspirants who clear the prelims.
He said the government is providing training and coaching in different districts through different organisations, and recalled an online programme that got stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are slowly structuring things, and we will see more impact soon,” he said, adding that even religious organisations in Garo Hills have started training the aspirants.
