Conrad inaugurates Early Childhood Devp Implementation Science Workshop
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 1: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday inaugurated the three-day ECD (Early Childhood Development) Implementation Science Workshop at Vivanta Meghalaya in Shillong, bringing together policymakers, development practitioners, experts, and stakeholders from across the country to strengthen integrated systems for early childhood development.
Themed “From Science to State Action — Building Integrated Systems for Early Childhood Development,” the workshop seeks to translate scientific evidence, global learning, and policy priorities into practical actions that improve outcomes for children and families.
Addressing the gathering, Sangma said one of the guiding principles of his administration since 2018 has been the belief that meaningful change does not always require new schemes or policies, but better implementation of the existing ones. Recalling a question posed by the media when he first became Chief Minister, he said he was inspired by author Shiv Khera to “not do anything different, but do things differently.”
He noted that the central and state government schemes are largely designed to address existing developmental challenges and that the real challenge often lies in their implementation. He pointed out that improvements in implementation have led to significant gains across sectors in Meghalaya.
Referring to MGNREGA, the Chief Minister said stronger execution resulted in a nearly threefold increase in the utilisation and absorption capacity. Similar improvements, he added, have been achieved across departments, leading to a four- to five-fold increase in the utilisation of centrally sponsored schemes and externally aided projects.
He noted that Meghalaya is currently implementing nearly Rs 12,000 crore worth of externally aided projects, exceeding the portfolio of many other small states.
Drawing on Meghalaya’s experience in addressing maternal mortality, Sangma said that the state initially assumed that increasing institutional deliveries would solve the problem. However, a deeper analysis revealed that the real barriers were economic and logistical in nature, including transportation costs, distance, and the lack of support systems for expectant mothers.
“We were encouraging institutional deliveries without recognising the economic realities these mothers faced,” he said.
He explained that instead of investing in a large fleet of ambulances, the government leveraged existing community resources by creating a system through which local vehicle owners could transport expectant mothers and receive compensation for their services.
The state also established Safe Motherhood Homes to support women from remote areas during the final stages of pregnancy by providing accommodation, food, care, and financial assistance for both the mother and a companion.
“The lesson here is that we must identify where the actual problem lies and then design solutions that are practical, affordable, and tailored to local realities,” he said.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than outputs. Referring to the preparations for the National Games, he noted that the completion of infrastructure projects alone should not be regarded as a success.
Citing the recently completed Rs 160-crore indoor stadium, he said the true measure of success would be reflected in the achievements of young athletes and the positive impact sports have on their lives. “We must always remember the larger purpose behind our work,” he said.
Following the Chief Minister’s address, Patricia Núñez Zamora of the Van Leer Foundation shared Chile’s experience in developing and implementing a comprehensive Early Childhood Development system known as “Chile Crece Contigo” (Chile Grows with You), highlighting key lessons on overcoming implementation challenges. She noted that while the science of ECD is well established, the greatest challenge lies in translating evidence into action.
Zamora explained that Chile’s journey began with a fundamental question: “What does it mean to be a society that supports children and parents? She emphasised that implementation challenges are rarely due to a lack of resources, but due to the difficulty of bridging the gap between policy and practice.
