Ampati, November 12: In an inspiring initiative aimed at nurturing future leaders, the “Building Young Leaders: Empowering Adolescent Boys and Girls with Transformational Life Skills” program took a significant step forward on Monday. Hosted at St. Claret Higher Secondary School, Ampati, South West Garo Hills, the event honored the progress made through this initiative by celebrating students, teachers, and facilitators. Distinguished guests included Crystal Ripamchi N. Sangma, BDO of Betasing C&RD Block, who served as the Chief Guest, and Taposh Ch Marak, SEO from the Office of the Jt. DSEL, Tura, who attended as the Guest of Honour. The program was chaired by Ms. June Hannifer Warbah, Program Coordinator at the Meghalaya Institute of Governance.
The program’s foundation lies in empowering teachers first, training them on core life skills so they can, in turn, mentor students at their respective schools. Teachers who participated in this training were encouraged to introduce topics like self-awareness, confidence, communication, decision-making, assertiveness, sexual rights, health and hygiene, and intergenerational dialogue into their classrooms. By doing so, they are enabling young people to build confidence, improve communication, and foster a sense of self and purpose.
To measure the impact, the program conducts regular monitoring and evaluation to assess students’ understanding and confirm that classes are actively being conducted. Monday’s event also provided a platform for teachers and students to share their experiences and reflections on the life skills they’ve learned.
In acknowledgment of their dedication, students were celebrated with a felicitation ceremony, recognizing them as ambassadors of the program, encouraging their peers to embrace these transformational skills.
The Meghalaya Institute of Governance, headed by Aiban Swer, Director, with support from educational institutions and Government of Meghalaya, is pleased to see the program’s reach expand across Meghalaya. Having started this year with Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions for teachers, the program is already impacting adolescents statewide. As more young leaders emerge, the Institute remains committed to fostering an environment that encourages leadership, confidence, and resilience in the youth of Meghalaya.
