Tura, Mar 28: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has hailed the transformative impact of the government programme SPARK for its positive impact on students across the state, crediting it with breaking inhibitions, enhancing speaking skills, and sharpening critical thinking among students.
Attending the SPARK summit at Tura on Friday, the chief minister said, “SPARK has demonstrated how targeted efforts in communication, soft skills, positive thinking, and kindness can transform young minds,” noting its role in preparing students for modern challenges by fostering articulation, resilience, and a positive attitude alongside academic learning.
Highlighting the programme’s impact, Sangma pointed to visible improvements in students’ behavior, confidence, and academic engagement across West Garo Hills schools.
Conrad credited SPARK with breaking inhibitions, enhancing speaking skills, and sharpening critical thinking among students. “The Government of Meghalaya is committed to strengthening education through innovative initiatives like SPARK to bridge learning gaps and nurture well-rounded individuals,” he assured.
He praised the dedication of teachers and school leaders, urging them to continue inspiring students with values of kindness, discipline, and resilience. Sangma also called on parents, community leaders, and local bodies to support such programmes, ensuring these principles extend beyond the classroom into homes and communities.
Through a detailed presentation, Sangma shared his vision of cultivating a generation of confident, compassionate, and responsible citizens.
He aligned SPARK with the government’s broader education policy, which prioritizes holistic learning, emotional well-being, and leadership development. Announcing future plans, he revealed intentions to scale up the SPARK initiative across other districts, positioning it as a model for student development in Meghalaya.
Today’s summit at the Tura district auditorium, celebrating a year of remarkable achievements under the SPARK progranme (School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness), was organized by the Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya, under the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
The summit had the participation of several dignitaries, including H M Shangpliang, Advisor to the Government of Meghalaya, Department of Education, Swapnil Tembe, Secretary of Education, Director of School Education & Literacy, and State Project Director, SEMAM-SSA, Jagdish Chelani, Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, and Principals from various schools in the Garo Hills region.
Advisor H M Shangpliang echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments, lauding the efforts of teachers and students while encouraging schools to sustain the focus on positive values and skill-building.
Earlier, Swapnil Tembe presented the SPARK Outcomes Report, giving a detailed data on the programme’s key successes in the last one year.
The summit also witnessed testimonials from students and teachers, who shared how SPARK has enriched their personal and academic lives. A notable highlight was the “Plasticurved” initiative, in collaboration with AI-VI.IN, Bangalore, promoting sustainable practices and responsible resource use among students.
The event concluded with the distribution of tablets and the felicitation of school principals, teachers, and students for their outstanding contributions to SPARK.
