Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the SPARK program during the District Talent Event in Tura on Wednesday. The initiative prioritizes soft skills like communication, resilience, and problem-solving. These traits often stay hidden on standard mark sheets. The Chief Minister labeled this a long-term investment for the state's youth.
SPARK, which stands for School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness, launched as a pilot in 2024. It initially reached 5,143 students across 25 government schools, with girls making up 73 percent of participants. The program aligns with the National Education Policy. It now operates as a multi-year effort across three models: student engagement, teacher training, and talent showcases.
Data current as of August 31, 2026, shows the program has reached 12,078 students in 53 benchmark campuses across all 12 districts. This includes 6,592 girls and 5,486 boys. Additionally, 526 teachers from 287 schools have participated in training. The Tura event also introduced a new handbook designed to help educators integrate these soft skills into daily classroom life.
Sangma addressed the crowd of students, teachers, and parents to explain why these human capabilities matter. "A student may know an answer perfectly well and still struggle to ask a question, explain an idea, work within a group, face an interview or recover from a failure. These things rarely show up on a mark sheet, yet they shape how far a young person goes in life," Sangma said.
During the Tura event, a jury evaluated students from various school contexts. The panel included Balsrame Sangma, Snamrik Marak, Cheangku Marak, and Salsera Sangma. The judges selected Samir B. Marak for solo dance and Genesis K. Marak for solo singing. They also chose Rakshit Dey and Ayon Arimba D. Arengh for stand-up comedy. Aksane D. Sangma received a special recommendation. These four acts will represent West Garo Hills at the upcoming SPARK State Summit.
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