The Meghalaya Cabinet on Friday approved the State Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage of education, making it mandatory for all children to study both Khasi and Garo languages as part of a revamped syllabus beginning from preschool and Class I.
Announcing the decision after chairing the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the new framework introduces updated syllabi and textbooks aimed at strengthening early childhood education.
“The cabinet has approved the state curriculum framework for the foundational stage. The syllabus for preschool and Class I has been approved and new textbooks have been introduced,” Sangma told reporters.
He said the revised curriculum places strong emphasis on personality development, value-based learning, and cultural and historical awareness among young learners.
“During the foundational stage, we are focusing on personality development, certain core values, and the cultural and historical aspects of the state,” the Chief Minister said.
Under the new framework, learning both Khasi and Garo languages will be compulsory for every child, with textbooks now formally included in the curriculum.
“We are making it mandatory for every child to learn both Khasi and Garo languages,” Sangma said.
The education system has also been restructured to ensure that basic concepts are easier for children to understand.
While some schools have already opted to adopt the new syllabus from the upcoming academic year, the Chief Minister clarified that the use of all new textbooks will be optional for the current year and mandatory from the following academic year.
“This year we are not making it mandatory; schools may adopt the textbooks voluntarily. From next year onwards, it will be compulsory,” Sangma said, adding that the cabinet has approved the rollout of the framework.
The move is expected to strengthen linguistic inclusivity and preserve Meghalaya’s indigenous languages from an early age.