Meghalaya: Education Minister Rakkam Sangma Defends School Holiday for Bryan Adams Concert Amid Backlash

Shillong: Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma has defended the state government's decision to proclaim Tuesday a vacation for all Shillong schools in the face of criticism from opposition parties. The Canadian rock icon Bryan Adams' eagerly awaited performance at the Polo Grounds, which kicked off his five-city India tour, fell on the same day as the holiday.

Although Sangma commended the opposition for adopting a stance, he underlined that their function is to question governmental choices regardless of popular opinion. "Opposition parties must criticize; it's their responsibility to take a stand. If 90% of people agree with a decision, the opposition must present an alternative view," he stated.

The minister defended the action by highlighting the National Education Policy's (NEP) larger goal of fostering multidisciplinary and holistic education. He maintained that education encompasses exposure to sports, music, and cultural activities in addition to classroom instruction. "Yesterday's holiday allowed students to explore extracurricular experiences. Education is not just about academics; it's about understanding the world around us," Sangma said.

Sangma further emphasised how well the decision was received by the public, revealing that even his daughter went to the concert. "Had we kept schools open, 90% of people would have criticized us for not considering the festive spirit. Closing schools was a practical and popular decision," he added.

In keeping with contemporary educational frameworks, the minister's comments highlight the government's intention to combine educational possibilities with cultural experiences.

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