Education System in Meghalaya

The state of Meghalaya offers education to all through a number of pre-primary, primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools. The Government of Meghalaya has implemented a free and compulsory education policy for students up to the age of 14 years. Early childhood education focuses on overall development of children according to the National Education Policy. Schools in Meghalaya are either state run or under the management of private organisations . The syllabus at primary schools is established by the Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Meghalaya. Most schools are affiliated to MBOSE. Also, there are several schools in the state affiliated to the CBSE or IB etc. The medium of instruction in secondary and higher secondary schools is English

The Structure of education in the state of Meghalaya is based on the national level pattern with 12 years of schooling (10+2+3). This consists of seven years of elementary education, that is, four years of primary and three years of Upper Primary for the age groups of 6-11 and 11-14 years, respectively, followed by secondary and higher secondary education of two years each.

The educational institutions in Meghalaya may be categorized as:

Centrally Funded Institutions
State Government Run Institutions
Privately owned institutions
Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model Education

The Department of Education is further divided into three directorates.

Directorate of Higher and Technical Education (DHTE)
Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL)
Directorate of Education and Research Training (DERT)

Main objectives of DSEL

To provide elementary schools in habitations without schools subject to norms.
To provide free and compulsory education for all children of age group 6-14.
To eradicate dropouts.
To improve the basic amenities in schools.
To review and renew the curriculum at regular intervals.
To improve the quality of education at all levels.
To ensure minimum levels of learning.
To impart training to teachers.
To eradicate illiteracy.
To recruit qualified teachers.
To involve the community in the management of schools.

Main objectives of DERT

Curriculum review and revision
Preparation of syllabus
Preparation of instructional materials (i.e. Textbooks, Teachers' Guides, Supplementary Reading Materials, Resource Books, Content Enrichment Materials, Handbooks, etc)
In-Service Training of Teachers and Extension Programmes
Research and Development
Dissemination of information and other functions as defined by the Government.

Directorate of Higher & Technical Education (DHTE)

The Directorate of Higher & Technical Education (DHTE) plays a very important role in administration, governance and supervision of different activities relating to Higher Education including College & University Education, Technical Education, Professional Education and Vocational Education in the State of Meghalaya. The activities are aimed at Human Resource Development and generation of technical man power according to the need of the Society. All Govt. Institutions are under its direct control while the Non-Govt. Institutions that receive grant-in-aid from the Govt. in the form salary of the teachers etc. are under the direct control of the Governing Body or Managing Committee of the institution. The Directorate is headed by the Director of Higher & Technical Education assisted by one Additional Director (T), one Joint Director, two Deputy Directors, one Registrar, two Superintendents and other supporting ministerial staff.