Meghalaya’s Education Minister, Rakkam A Sangma, has called upon all Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) from the state to actively prioritise and fund the upgradation of school infrastructure. His appeal comes in light of many government schools still lacking basic facilities like classrooms, proper toilets, clean drinking water, and boundary walls. The minister stressed that education should not just be a talking point, but a serious agenda when allocating local area development funds.
I chose this topic because it speaks directly to the everyday reality faced by students in remote and underdeveloped parts of the country, especially in the Northeast. As someone who closely follows education news, I’ve seen how poor infrastructure continues to hold back learning outcomes even in regions where teachers are sincere and students are willing. What Meghalaya’s education minister is demanding is not extra luxury—he is just asking that the children of his state get access to safe and basic schooling conditions. And that’s something every MLA and MP should support, not just in Meghalaya but across India. These are the kind of ground-level issues that deserve more attention and discussion.
Why School Infrastructure Matters
You can’t expect good learning outcomes when the school building is falling apart or there aren’t enough classrooms. In Meghalaya, many schools, especially in rural areas, are operating under tin sheds or temporary structures. Some don’t even have toilets for girls, and that alone causes many students to drop out after primary school.
Here’s what proper infrastructure means in real terms:
- Safe classrooms with benches and blackboards
- Separate toilets for girls and boys
- Clean drinking water
- Electricity and fans
- Boundary walls for student safety
- Space for sports and activities
These might sound basic, but many schools in Meghalaya and similar regions still don’t have them. And without these, no teaching method or digital tool can really work.
What the Minister is Proposing
Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has urged all 60 MLAs and the state’s MPs to use their Local Area Development (LAD) funds to support the upgrade of school infrastructure. He mentioned that the education department alone cannot fix everything, and elected leaders must step in to help.
He pointed out that while many leaders do announce projects and schemes, schools are often left out of their priority list. This needs to change. He also called for collective responsibility, where district councils and other local bodies also work together to improve schools in their areas.
A Ground-Level Approach to Education
What’s different here is the grassroots approach. Instead of waiting for large schemes or national-level projects, the minister wants to make local representatives more accountable. And honestly, that makes sense. When an MLA or MP sees the poor state of a school in their own constituency, they are in the best position to act quickly and help.
This also gives power back to the people. If schools don’t improve, voters can directly question their leaders about how they are using their development funds.
Why This Should Be a National Concern
Even though this statement came from a minister in Meghalaya, the issue is not limited to that state. Across India, thousands of government schools are struggling with poor buildings and lack of facilities. Whether it’s a village in Bihar, a tribal area in Odisha, or a hill town in Meghalaya—the problem is the same.
This is why I feel such voices should be amplified. If more ministers, MPs, and MLAs start treating school upgrades as a serious investment in the future, we’ll start seeing real improvement in education outcomes. Not just marks, but also attendance, student confidence, and learning levels.
