Shillong, August 26, 2026: The Government of Meghalaya has launched the “CM-IMPACT Read & Rise Meghalaya” programme to address foundational learning gaps and improve reading readiness among schoolchildren across the state.
Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, inaugurated the programme at the Assembly Annexe Hall in Shillong. Read & Rise Meghalaya, also known as the Meghalaya Universal Reading Readiness Programme, is a key component of the broader CM-IMPACT (Chief Minister’s Initiative for Maximising Pass Achievement and Classroom Triumph) education reform programme.
The initiative is designed to help students develop grade-appropriate reading skills, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to learning resources can be uneven. It also seeks to address learning deficiencies resulting from classroom disruptions in recent years.
Speaking at the launch, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, said, “The investment we are making in the children today is going to start showing results 20 years from now. This kind of an investment is something that’s going to have one of the highest returns that we can imagine, not for us, but for the society as a whole and for the individual student.”
The Chief Minister also called for proper implementation and regular monitoring of the programme, with scope to adapt and improve it based on its progress.
Shri Lahkmen Rymbui, Hon’ble Education Minister of Meghalaya, attended the launch as the Guest of Honour.
As part of the launch, the state also released the “Teacher Training Guide for Universal Reading Readiness Across Meghalaya”, published by GREENAMMO and sponsored by the Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya. The guide is intended to provide teachers with structured support for implementing the reading-readiness programme.
Three-Month Reading Goal
Outlining the programme’s implementation roadmap, Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya, said the state is seeking to establish learning outcomes at an early stage.
Building on earlier initiatives, including SSLC student guidebooks, the Classroom Readiness Programme and the Meghalaya Learning Enhancement Programme, Read & Rise has set an immediate goal of ensuring that every child above seven years of age in Meghalaya can read within three months.
“If every child can read, that is the foundation of the entire quality of education, and we'll be in a different league altogether if we are successful,” Vijay Kumar Mantri said.
The programme is expected to contribute to Meghalaya’s broader efforts to improve academic performance and board examination outcomes by strengthening foundational reading skills.
The launch was attended by Richa Kulkarni, IAS, Director of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Government of Meghalaya, along with officials from other allied departments.
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