Shillong: The Meghalaya govt invests nearly Rs 1,200 crore annually to support over 4,500 educational institutions through ad-hoc and deficit grants and approximately Rs 120 crore is spent every year on teachers’ salaries under the deficit grant system, CM Conrad Sangma said on Friday.The CM also assured continued govt support, saying that Meghalaya stands out among the northeastern states for its sustained commitment to supporting a large number of institutions.“The greatest investment we can make as a society and as a govt is in human capital and education remains the most powerful tool to transform our society and take our state forward,” he said.Speaking at the closing ceremony of the diamond jubilee celebration of Synod College, Shillong, and college week, themed ‘Grace, Growth and Gratitude’, at the Students’ Field in the Jaiaw locality of the city, he lauded the institution’s legacy, saying that “from humble beginnings, the college has grown from strength to strength, touching thousands of lives and shaping generations of youth with strong Christian values”. He noted that these values have guided students to become “responsible citizens, contributing meaningfully” to society.G Lyngdoh, the principal of Synod College, highlighted the institution’s journey since its establishment in 1965 with just 43 students offering pre-university arts education.She noted that the college has grown into a major institution with more than 3,000 students across higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes, and has successfully undergone four cycles of accreditation by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), securing an A+ grade in the most recent assessment.The principal said the college would establish its extended campus at Mawpdang in the New Shillong Township, focusing on skill-based and livelihood training programmes to benefit youth from the area and neighbouring villages.
