Meghalaya CM promotes SPARK programme to equip youth for technological changes

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has emphasized the importance of the SPARK (School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness) initiative in preparing the state's youth for a rapidly changing technological landscape. Speaking at a district talent event in Tura, Sangma noted that while technology may automate routine tasks, human capabilities such as problem-solving, communication, and resilience remain indispensable.

Launched as a pilot in 2024, the program has expanded with support from the central Ministry of Education and has been recognized as a best practice under the National Education Policy (NEP). To date, the initiative has benefited over 20,000 students, with 12,078 students reached across 53 benchmark campuses. The program also includes a teacher-focused component, ‘SPARK for Teachers’, which has provided intensive training to 526 educators from 287 schools.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the program aims to develop foundational skills that are often not captured by traditional academic mark sheets, such as the ability to work in groups, face interviews, and recover from failure. The event in Tura also saw the release of the ‘SPARK for Teachers’ Handbook to assist educators in implementing these habit-building approaches in daily classroom instruction.