Meghalaya Cabinet Approves Major School Upgrades, 9,000 New Seats for Class 11

Correspondent

Shillong: In a major push to address the pressing gap in higher secondary education, the Meghalaya Cabinet on Thursday approved the up-gradation of six government secondary schools to higher secondary level and introduced additional academic streams in 11 existing higher secondary schools. The move, aimed at enhancing the state’s intake capacity and balancing regional disparities, is expected to generate approximately 9,000 new Class 11 seats immediately.

Cabinet Minister and MDA Spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said the decision was driven by a dual challenge—an intake shortfall and urban concentration of institutions. “There is a deficit in our intake capacity at 11th standard, which stands at 12,000 seats,” he said. “Need to upgrade the quality of education in our state.”

Highlighting the uneven distribution of schools, he pointed out the “disproportionate concentration of higher secondary schools mostly in urban areas and in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.”

The upgraded institutions include Rymbai Government Secondary School (East Jaintia Hills), Umthlong Nongthliew Government Secondary School (now offering both Arts and Science), Nongtalang Government Secondary School, Tirot Singh Government Secondary School Laitkynsew, Tura Public School, and Jowai Public School.

Additionally, new streams will be introduced in several schools to expand academic options for students. The Science stream will be introduced in Tirot Singh Memorial Government Higher Secondary School Nongkhlaw, while the Commerce stream will be added to Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School Tura, Dalu Government Secondary School (West Garo Hills), Baghmara Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School Jowai, and Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School.

The Arts stream, currently unavailable in some schools, will now be offered at Jirang Government Secondary School (Ri Bhoi), Resubelpara Government Higher Secondary School (North Garo Hills), and Maharam Government Higher Secondary School (Mawkyrwat). Science streams will also be added to United Kharkutta Government Higher Secondary School (North Garo Hills) and Mallangkona Government Higher Secondary School.

The government estimates the financial implication of the upgrade at approximately Rs 10 crore annually.

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