Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Tuesday that the state education department’s annual budget has been increased from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore in recent years, the highest so far, and the impact of this investment is “becoming visible”. Highlighting the government’s initiatives since 2018, Sangma said education has remained one of the top priorities of the administration.
The rise in annual budgetary allocation from Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 3,500 crore reflected this commitment, he said, adding that the investments are now translating into the kind of transformation the government had envisioned. He stressed the importance of holistic learning and said that education must shape “character” and instil qualities such as discipline, commitment and respect. “It is not just about books or degrees,” he told the gathering, adding that true learning should help young people develop a sense of purpose.
The chief minister also presented comparative data to highlight Meghalaya’s unusually dense school network. While Tripura, with a population of over 45 lakh, has about 4,000 schools, and Manipur and Nagaland have roughly 5,000 and 4,000 respectively, Meghalaya has 14,000. The chief minister said the state employs 55,000 teachers — far more than some neighbouring states, despite their larger populations.