Strengthening Foundational Learning in Meghalaya

Smart Village Movement, September 7, 2026

On August 11, SVM joined the Language and Learning Foundation, Tata Trusts, Madhi Foundation and Educational Initiatives for an Evidence Convening in Shillong, where the Meghalaya findings of the Teaching and Learning Practices Survey 2025 were presented.

Government officials and educators discussed what the study found in Samanda Block, and what it means for how foundational learning is taught across the state. The conversation centred on practical fixes: connecting lessons to children’s everyday lives, more in-person teacher training, better learning materials, and stronger coordination across departments.

As a partner organization in this initiative, SVM continues to support evidence-based approaches to closing foundational learning gaps in Meghalaya’s schools.

So far, the pedagogical approach we have followed has been a fairly conventional one, but over the last few years, a lot of thought and deliberation has gone into how teaching practices can be best designed to help students, given the specific circumstances and challenges they face, perform better. I hope the understanding we take from this limited geographical study can slowly be scaled up to other areas of the state, and that in the days to come, we can take this partnership forward.”

— Smt. Richa Kulkarni, IAS, Director, DSEL and SPD, Samagra Shiksha, Government of Meghalaya

What this report highlights is the need for convergence between departments, working together from the state level right down to the grassroots. When stakeholders coordinate and work hand in hand, the education system will surely improve. We’ve already seen this reflected in the 2025-26 PGI, which shows a slight improvement — and that’s the direction we must continue in.

— Smt. Mary Wanpli Lynrah, FLN State Pedagogy Coordinator, Samagra Shiksha, Government of Meghalaya