The All India Save Education Committee (AISEC), Meghalaya Chapter on the 16th September, 2025 released the abridged version of the Draft People’s Education Policy in Khasi and Garo languages during a function held at Synod College, Shillong. Prof H. Srikanth of Department of Political Science, North Eastern Hill University, addressed the gathering informing the work of the Committee at the national and state level. He focused on the importance of public funded education as outlined in the Draft People’s Education Policy in contrast to the National Education Policy which leads to privatization.
The release function was followed by a panel discussion on the topic, “Education Scenario in Meghalaya” in which Dr. Batskhem Myrboh (of the Department of Political Science, NEHU and Secretary, AISEC, Meghalaya Chapter) moderated the discussion with Prof S.K. Pradhan (Associate Professor of Commerce, St. Anthony’s College) and Babu Kular Khongjirem (Assistant Teacher, Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Higher Secondary School, Shillong) as the panelists.
The discussion centered on the issues of correlation between dropout rate with poverty of the people, interference of politicians and bureaucrats in academic matters, assurance of decent minimum salary of teachers at all levels through legislation and the need to address the problem of illogical categorization of schools and colleges by promoting positive equality, i.e., raising the raising the service conditions of teachers to that of the government/deficit level.
The discussion also touched upon the urgency to give autonomy to the Meghalaya Board of School Education and also the need to prescribe quality school textbooks, to upgrade the infrastructure of the educational institutions, appointment of adequate teachers at the college level required for smooth and meaningful execution of four year undergraduate programme (FYUP). The discussion went on to touch the issue related to strengthening of liberal arts education to make society more humane through appropriate curriculum.
The discussion concluded with an emphasis on the importance of governance for desired educational outcome. Mere investing resources without priority given to effective educational governance will not lead to educational improvement.
The programme was attended by teachers of different colleges, students of Synod College and other members of the society who are concerned with the state of education in the state.
