Shillong, Jan 16: The Meghalaya Cabinet, which met at Mawkasiang on Friday, approved a series of key decisions, including the introduction of Community-Integrated Skill Learning (CISL) in schools, measures to facilitate completion of secondary education, and several administrative and policy matters.

The Cabinet approved the introduction of Community-Integrated Skill Learning as a structured curricular component for students of Classes VI to X. CISL will be integrated into the existing Health and Physical Education subject, which is currently offered as the sixth subject and is largely textbook-based. The move aims to make the subject more practical and experiential.

Under CISL, students will be encouraged to identify and learn one or more practical skills aligned with their interests and their family or community background. For instance, students may learn agricultural skills from family members engaged in farming or other skills practiced within their local community. Students will be required to actively learn, practise, and demonstrate the selected skill. The Cabinet noted that the initiative is expected to promote skill development, help preserve traditional family and community occupations, and strengthen student engagement with families and communities, as CISL will form a significant part of academic assessment.

The Cabinet also approved a new provision allowing admission and registration of private candidates for the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination under the Meghalaya Board of School Education. The decision is aimed at supporting students who were unable to clear the matriculation examination earlier or who dropped out after Class 8 due to various reasons, enabling them to complete their Class 10 education.

Among other decisions, the Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Day Awardees for 2026. Dr Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih was selected for the U Tirot Sing Award for Arts and Literature, Father Benoy Joseph for the Pa Togan Sangma Award for Social Services, and Riiohlang Dhar for the U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports and Games.

The Cabinet approved the Meghalaya Border Areas Development Service (Amendment) Rules, 2025, and cleared the extension of services of Kynphambor Wahlang as Superintending Engineer (HQ), Directorate of Urban Affairs, Shillong. Extensions of service were also approved for Robert Lyngdoh, retired Officer on Special Duty and Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Planning Department and Chief Administrative Officer, Meghalaya Age Limited, and Bruce P. Marak, retired Chief Engineer (PWD–National Highway) and Advisor to the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project.

In addition, the Cabinet approved the Republic Day Speech for 2026 and the nomination of VIPs to take the salute during the Republic Day celebrations in 2026.