SHILLONG, May 1: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday maintained that Meghalaya's aspiration to be among the top-10 states in the country cannot be achieved without strengthening the education sector, as he asserted that education "is and will always remain" the top priority of the government.

Sangma was speaking at a felicitation programme organised by the Meghalaya SSA Schools Association Central Body and the Meghalaya 4th Teachers' Association to honour the state government for introducing the Structured Pay Framework (SPF), a reform aimed at improving service conditions and financial security of SSA and 4th teachers.
Describing the rollout of SPF as a landmark and historic milestone, the chief minister said the journey towards the reform had been long and challenging. "You have gone through pain, sacrifices and struggles, but I am glad to have been part of this journey-from my time as a Member of Parliament in 2016 to today, when we have reached a solution that recognises the dignity and ensures financial stability of our teachers," he said.
The chief minister noted that the issue was complex but was resolved through sustained efforts, consultations and collective commitment.
Sangma also expressed appreciation to the teachers' associations for their perseverance and dedication, which he said played a key role in achieving the reform.
The SPF, implemented with effect from April 1, 2026, replaces the earlier fixed remuneration system and introduces a structured, experience-based pay scale, aimed at ensuring fairness, dignity and stability for teachers.
Calling the rollout one of the most satisfying moments of his public life, the chief minister said the reform had brought "23,000 smiles", which, along with families and students, translates into lakhs of beneficiaries.
"This is the true satisfaction of leadership-being able to make a difference in people's lives," he said.
Sangma recalled the challenges involved in taking the decision, particularly the financial implications, but emphasised that such reforms should not be judged solely in monetary terms. "It is not about the money we spend, but about the lives we transform, the future we build and the citizens we create," he said.
The chief minister also acknowledged contributors to the state's education policy formulated in 2019 and thanked members of the Education Commission for developing practical solutions that balanced policy aspirations, teachers' needs and administrative complexities.
Urging teachers to keep students at the centre of all decisions, he said, "We must always ask-what is best for the child. Real transformation in education can only happen when every decision is guided by the interests of the student."
He added that while progress has been made, much work remains, and called for collective efforts from teachers, parents, officials and policymakers to bring meaningful change in the education system.
Among those present at the programme were Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira, Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai, MLA Dr C Lyngdoh and Commissioner and Secretary, Education department, Vijay Kumar Mantri, along with officials from the department.
CM halts convoy to meet protesting vocational teachers
The chief minister briefly halted his convoy near Students' Field, Jaiaw, to interact with members of the Meghalaya Vocational Education Trainers' Union (MVETU), who were protesting their exclusion from the state's new Structured Pay Framework (SPF).
The chief minister met the demonstrators after attending a programme for SSA and ad hoc teachers.
Stepping out of his vehicle, he accepted a memorandum and assured the union members that he would look into their grievances. "I will try to help as much as possible within the limits. I will do my best," Sangma said.
The MVETU members staged a peaceful protest to coincide with the formal rollout of the SPF, which the government has termed a landmark reform. The union expressed disappointment that while over 23,000 teachers were covered under the new tiered salary system, vocational trainers were left out.
"We want equal pay and recognition," a union member said, noting that approximately 321 vocational teachers have been serving in nearly 150 schools across the state since 2017 without a significant pay revision.
The protesters added that they had previously submitted representations to the education minister and the chief minister but had seen no action.
The demonstrators, carrying placards, noted that they were denied permission by authorities to enter the official venue to present their case directly, prompting the roadside protest.
It may be mentioned that the Structured Pay Framework, which came into effect on April 1, 2026, replaces the fixed remuneration system for SSA, ad hoc, and grant-based teachers. It introduces experience-based tiers, 3 per cent annual increments, and a Centralised Provident Fund (CPF), with salaries ranging from Rs 21,000 to over Rs 43,000.