Shillong, July 2: The Meghalaya Government on Thursday inaugurated the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy (MTTA) at Malki, Shillong, marking a significant milestone in the state's efforts to improve the quality of education through continuous teacher development, school leadership training, and capacity building.
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| Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurates the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy (MTTA) at Malki, Shillong, on July 2, in the presence of Education Minister Lakmen Rymbui and senior government officials. (Image; X/SangmaConrad) |
The academy was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in the presence of Education Minister Lakmen Rymbui, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar, Education Secretary Vijay Mantri, senior government officials, educationists, and representatives of partner organisations.
The inauguration ceremony featured the unveiling of the MTTA plaque, a presentation outlining the academy's vision and objectives, and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Mpower and under the Asian Development Bank-supported Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya (SHCDM) Phase II Project, aimed at strengthening teacher training and educational reforms in the state.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the academy as a major step towards transforming Meghalaya's education system. He said the institution has been created with a singular purpose—to focus exclusively on teacher training and professional development without being burdened by routine administrative responsibilities.
"The objective is very simple. There has to be an organisation that is focused specifically on teacher training and all the activities necessary for improving the skills of our teachers. This academy will concentrate entirely on training educators so that they can deliver quality education to our children," the Chief Minister said.
He congratulated the Education Department for establishing the academy and expressed confidence that it would become a "major game changer" for the state's education sector.
Sangma said improving teacher quality is essential for enhancing learning outcomes and raising Meghalaya's performance in the Performance Grading Index (PGI), where the state has faced challenges in recent years. He noted that the academy, supported by various education development projects, would directly contribute to improving educational standards and institutional performance.
The Chief Minister stressed that education extends beyond textbooks and examinations. According to him, schools must also nurture character, discipline, life skills, creativity, and the holistic development of every child.
"Education is not just about academics. It is about ensuring that children grow holistically. Character building, discipline, values, skills, and overall personality development are equally important, and well-trained teachers are central to achieving these goals," he said.
Education Minister Lakmen Rymbui echoed the Chief Minister's views, stating that the academy would ensure continuous training and retraining of teachers to keep pace with evolving educational needs.
He observed that education is constantly changing and requires educators to update their knowledge, teaching methods, and classroom practices regularly.
"The government's main objective is to provide quality education to every child in Meghalaya. To achieve this, we need strong school infrastructure, a good curriculum, student-centred learning, and, most importantly, well-trained teachers," Rymbui said.
He explained that the establishment of the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy would provide a dedicated institutional framework for continuous professional development, enabling teachers to adopt innovative teaching practices and improve classroom learning.
The Education Minister also acknowledged the support of Mpower and the Education Department's development partners, expressing hope that the collaboration would strengthen educational reforms and benefit students across the state.
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In a statement issued after the inauguration, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the academy would provide continuous professional development for teachers, helping improve learning outcomes while equipping educators with the skills needed to support the holistic growth of every child.
He added that the academy would adopt a decentralised training model, utilise technology-driven learning, and place strong emphasis on capacity building, enabling teachers across Meghalaya to access quality training closer to their workplaces.
According to the Chief Minister, the MTTA will play a pivotal role in transforming Meghalaya's education system by preparing teachers for future challenges while ensuring that students receive quality, inclusive, and holistic education.
The establishment of the Meghalaya Teacher Training Academy is expected to become a cornerstone of the state's education reforms, reinforcing the government's commitment to empowering teachers and creating a stronger foundation for learning and academic excellence across Meghalaya.
