The World Bank has approved a $35 million project aimed at improving education and empowering youth in Meghalaya. The project, called MPOWER (Meghalaya Multisectoral Project for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowerment, and Resilience), will benefit over 500,000 adolescents across the state, targeting high dropout rates and helping youth transition from school to employment.
Meghalaya has one of the highest dropout rates in India, with 11% of students leaving school at the upper primary level—three times the national average—and 22% of students dropping out at the secondary level, nearly double the national figure. The MPOWER initiative will address these challenges by focusing on improving literacy and numeracy skills for students in grades 6 to 12. The project will also provide mental health support, life skills training, and career guidance for both current students and those who have already dropped out.
Inspired by successful programs in states like Jharkhand, as well as international examples from Tanzania and Bangladesh, the MPOWER project will take a holistic approach to tackling dropout rates. Auguste Tano Kouamé, World Bank’s Country Director for India, emphasized that this comprehensive approach is vital for addressing the complex factors contributing to the state’s educational challenges.
In addition to addressing academic issues, the project will work to combat social problems like substance abuse, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy, which are major contributors to school dropouts. MPOWER will create community clubs, mentoring programs, and digital platforms to engage students and their families, along with providing sexual health education to prevent teen pregnancies and promote school retention.
The project will also partner with the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society to offer business skills training to out-of-school youth and aspiring entrepreneurs. Funded through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the project loan carries a 15-year maturity period, including a 5-year grace period.
This initiative aims to improve educational outcomes for Meghalaya’s youth, boost their future employability, and contribute to the state’s overall socio-economic development.
