SHILLONG: A total of 9,767 former school dropouts across Meghalaya have registered as Private SSLC candidates under the State’s Second Chance Learning Programme, offering adolescents, young adults, and older learners the opportunity to complete their Class X education.
The initiative, led by the Government of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE), and MPOWER, allows flexible preparation for the SSLC exam scheduled for December 2026.
Registrations span all 12 districts and include learners of all ages—the oldest being 59-year-old Sylvester Shadap from Ri Bhoi, who left school in 1989 and is now preparing to sit for the exam.
“Returning for the SSLC examination is to set an example for all adolescents, starting from my own family,” Sylvester said.
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The programme operates 171 learning and assessment centres statewide. It is designed for those who left school due to financial constraints, family responsibilities, migration, early marriage, or other barriers, enabling them to prepare for the exam outside conventional school settings.
MBOSE provides the academic framework, while MPOWER supports community mobilisation, learner orientation, mentoring, and distribution of free self-study materials in multiple subjects.
The initiative also connects learners with further education, vocational training, and livelihood opportunities, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s focus on flexible, inclusive learning and lifelong education.
For thousands in Meghalaya, the December SSLC exam marks a vital second chance to resume their educational journey and improve future prospects.
(4FrontMedia news)
