Tura, March 28: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, has a vision of building a generation of confident, kind, and responsible citizens who will contribute positively to society. To achieve this goal, he firmly believes that communication, articulation, resilience, and a positive attitude are as important as academic qualifications. As such, he emphasized that the primary purpose of education is not merely academic excellence but also personality development, confidence building, and nurturing life skills among students.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the SPARK Summit 2025, held at the District Auditorium in Tura on Friday. The summit marked the celebration of a year of milestones under the SPARK Programme (School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience, and Kindness), an initiative of the Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya, under Samagra Shiksha.

Sangma stated that the SPARK initiative has proven how simple yet focused interventions in communication, soft skills, positive thinking, and kindness can significantly transform young minds. The remarked that the initiative is equipping students with these vital skills to prepare them for future challenges.

He also shared how the SPARK programme has brought visible changes in students’ behaviour, confidence, and academic engagement across schools in West Garo Hills. He specifically mentioned how the programme has helped in breaking inhibitions among students, improving their speaking abilities, and developing critical thinking.

He assured that the Government of Meghalaya is deeply committed to strengthening the education sector and will continue to support innovative initiatives like SPARK to bridge learning gaps and nurture well-rounded individuals.

He also mentioned that initiatives like SPARK are in line with the broader goals of the government’s education policy focused on holistic learning, emotional well-being, and leadership development. He encouraged parents, community leaders, and local bodies to actively engage with schools and support programmes like SPARK to ensure that the values of kindness, resilience, and articulation are inculcated at home and in the community.

Additionally, the Chief Minister stated that the government will explore scaling up the SPARK initiative to other districts, making it a model programme for holistic student development across Meghalaya.

Earlier in the programme, Secretary and State Project Director, Swapnil Tembe, presented the SPARK Outcomes Report, sharing insights into the key achievements of the initiative.

The programme also had testimonials from students and teachers who shared their experiences and the impact of SPARK on their personal and academic growth.

The summit also highlighted the “Plasticurved” initiative in collaboration with AI-VI.IN, Bangalore, encouraging responsible resource use and sustainable practices among students.

The programme concluded with the distribution of tablets and felicitation of school principals, teachers, and students for their leadership and achievements under SPARK. Cultural performances by students of Dadenggre Puri Government Higher Secondary School and Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Tura, added a touch of vibrancy to the event.

Read: Ex-GNLA Commander arrested for murder of school teacher in North Garo Hills

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