TURA, Oct 23: A school summit can do more than put students on a stage and hand out awards. It can bring young people face to face with cultures they have never experienced, help them discover talents they never knew they had and give them the confidence to step beyond familiar surroundings. That was the broader message at Meghalaya’s SPARK Meghalaya (School Programmes in Articulation, Resilience and Kindness) State Summit 2026, organised by the Education Department at the District Auditorium in Tura on Friday.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who attended as chief guest, said he had suggested moving this year’s summit from Shillong, where it was held last year, to expose students to the state’s cultural diversity. “The reason is that it is important for youngsters to share and experience the true richness of the state – its diversity, cultures, language, land, beauty, food and music. The journey and stay are part of the experience they will carry forever.” Noting that many students were visiting Tura for the first time, he said, “That is precisely the point. The summit is giving opportunity for youth to interact, meet and understand different cultures and flavours of the people,”
Sangma urged students to recognise their individual abilities rather than measure themselves only through competition and awards. “Everybody has potential and you have already won by being here,” he said, adding, “This programme is at the heart of promoting talent and giving confidence to say ‘I will try’.”
He said SPARK aimed to build confidence, nurture values, encourage self-growth and create friendships, with talent extending across music, sports, entrepreneurship, dance and painting. Calling youth Meghalaya’s greatest strength, he stressed the need to channel their energy into productive opportunities.
Citing the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP), the CM said 8,000 artists were earning and reinvesting through their passion, performing more than 20,000 shows across the state, the country and internationally, including in Japan and Germany, with government support. He also highlighted the CM Elevate programme and investments in sports, adding that several Meghalaya initiatives were being replicated nationally.
Describing such programmes as investments in future generations, he said, “Students here will create spark in their locality among brothers, sisters and friends – a multiplier effect. It is not spark happening here, it is spark spreading.”
The summit brought together district and Education Department officials, jury members, principals, teachers, students and youth from different districts and schools across Meghalaya. The release of the SPARK Outcomes Report 2026, cultural performances, testimonials from students and teachers, and felicitation of District SPARK Stars were among the highlights.
