Shillong: The Meghalaya Education Department has taken a firm stance against the arbitrary declaration of school holidays by educational institutions.
In a significant move aimed at streamlining and improving the quality of education, the Department has issued a comprehensive set of directives for the 2025 academic year.
The academic year will commence on February 10, 2025, with a structured Class Readiness Programme for all students. This preparatory phase will focus on foundational learning and skill development, with primary school students (Classes I-V) undergoing the programme until March 7, and middle and high school students (Classes VI-X) completing it by February 28.
To enhance transparency and accountability, the Department will now oversee the examination schedules for Classes VI-IX. Schools are mandated to upload all evaluation results to the Department’s digital platform, ensuring standardized assessment practices. Furthermore, the Department of Educational Research and Training (DERT) or the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) will develop standardized question papers for all annual examinations.
The academic calendar has been meticulously designed with clear term dates, with sessions concluding on November 28 for pre-primary and December 17 for Classes I-IX, followed by a winter break. To ensure adequate instructional hours, schools must now adhere to mandatory requirements of 200 working days for primary levels and 220 for higher classes, translating to 800 and 1,000 instructional hours respectively.
Recognizing the need to address the academic performance concerns highlighted in the National Achievement Survey (NAS), the Department has introduced intensive focus periods at the beginning of each term. Primary classes will dedicate four weeks to foundational learning, while higher classes will undergo three weeks of targeted instruction. This initiative aims to strengthen core skills and improve overall academic outcomes.
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