SHILLONG: In a landmark move to weave the cultural fabric of the state closer together, the Meghalaya Education Department is gearing up for a massive training blitz for teachers across the state. This initiative comes as the government prepares to make both Khasi and Garo languages compulsory subjects from Pre-Primary level up to Class I.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has hailed the decision as a historic step toward state-wide integration. While Meghalaya stands as a united state, the Minister noted that the language gap has long acted as a subtle divide.
”Our goal is to ensure that our children, the future of Meghalaya, are fluent in the tongues of their brothers and sisters right from their first steps in school,” Rymbui stated, emphasizing that early childhood is the prime window for mastering these two pillar languages of the state.
The move follows concerns raised by various teachers’ associations. Many educators from the Khasi-Jaintia Hills expressed apprehensions about teaching the Garo language, while their counterparts in the Garo Hills voiced similar challenges regarding Khasi.
Responding to these concerns with a proactive solution, the Minister assured that the government is not leaving teachers to struggle alone.
Specialized Training Programs: The state is designing intensive, expert-led training modules.
Simplified Pedagogy: New teaching methods are being developed to make language acquisition fun and easy for both teachers and toddlers.
Capacity Building: The focus is on ensuring every teacher feels confident and “battle-ready” before the curriculum is officially rolled out.
This ambitious project follows a recent Cabinet decision to mandate these languages in the school system. By fostering a “bilateral” understanding of Khasi and Garo cultures, the government aims to build a generation of citizens who truly understand the heart and soul of their neighbours.
With the Education Department now in “mission mode,” Meghalaya’s classrooms are set to become the ultimate melting pot of culture, language, and unity.
