Secondary schools in rural Meghalaya face potential collapse due to a government grant-in-aid freeze that has lasted for a decade, as reported by the Meghalaya Schools Welfare Development Association (MSWDA). Since 2014, the state government has ceased financial support for newly established “permitted” secondary schools, which has forced teachers to rely on inadequate funding from fees paid by rural parents who frequently struggle to meet basic needs. MSWDA president HM Marbaniang highlighted that while some schools receive “Science Grants,” there is a lack of ad-hoc grants for general subjects, particularly affecting teachers of history, language, and social sciences. This neglect indicates a preference for promoting STEM subjects over maintaining a well-rounded educational staff.
The funding crisis has resulted in a staffing emergency, with some schools operating with only one or two teachers due to a halt in new recruitments. This situation is adversely affecting examination results and the overall quality of education in rural and semi-urban regions. Data from the MSWDA reveals significant disparities within Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) schools; among 1,544 schools facing management crises and “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) issues, a staggering 1,434 are situated in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, while only 10 are located in the Garo Hills. This pattern underscores a bureaucratic challenge disproportionately impacting the eastern region of the state.
The issues surrounding “Non-NOC” status reflect ongoing conflicts between local communities, who established the schools, and a government attempting to exert control without providing adequate financial support. Despite previous efforts by the MSWDA, including multiple memoranda submitted to the Education Minister and the Chief Minister in 2025, the association reports a lack of positive responses from the administration.