Read & Rise Programme was launched by the Meghalaya government on 26 August 2026 to improve foundational literacy and reading skills among children across the state. The CM-IMPACT Read & Rise programme was launched at the Assembly Annexe Hall in Shillong as part of the state’s wider effort to strengthen early learning and classroom outcomes.

The programme focuses on helping children develop basic reading and writing abilities at an early age. It is particularly important for children in remote and rural areas who have experienced learning gaps because of disruptions in regular classroom education in recent years.

Meghalaya focuses on early reading skills

The Read & Rise Programme is linked to CM-IMPACT, which stands for Chief Minister’s Initiative for Maximising Pass Achievement and Classroom Triumph. The initiative focuses on improving school performance and creating better learning outcomes for children.

A key part of the programme is the Universal Reading Readiness Mission. Its main aim is to ensure that every child in Meghalaya can read and write confidently by the age of seven years.

Early literacy is an important part of a child’s education. Children who develop basic reading and writing skills at an early stage can find it easier to understand subjects and participate actively in classroom activities.

Three-month reading target for older children

The programme also addresses children who are already above seven years of age but have not developed the expected reading skills.

For these children, the Universal Reading Readiness Mission has set a three-month reading target. The aim is to identify learning gaps and provide focused support so that children can improve their basic literacy skills within a defined period.

This approach allows teachers and schools to focus on children who need additional assistance instead of using the same learning method for every student.

Special focus on rural and remote areas

The Read & Rise Programme has been designed with particular attention to children living in remote and rural parts of Meghalaya.

Students in geographically difficult areas can sometimes face challenges such as limited educational resources, teacher shortages, disrupted classes and reduced access to additional learning support. These factors can affect children’s basic reading and writing development.

By focusing on foundational literacy, Meghalaya aims to address such learning gaps at an early stage. Stronger basic skills can help children continue their education with greater confidence.

Teacher training becomes an important part

Teachers will play a central role in implementing the programme. During the launch, the Meghalaya government released the Teacher Training Guide for Universal Reading Readiness Across Meghalaya.

The guide has been published by GREENAMMO, while the Education Department of Meghalaya sponsored the initiative.

The training material is intended to give teachers a structured approach for helping children develop reading readiness. It can also help teachers identify difficulties in reading and provide suitable classroom support.

Teacher training is important because improving literacy is not only about providing books or learning materials. Teachers need practical methods to understand a child’s learning level and gradually build reading ability.

Supporting children after classroom disruptions

The programme comes at a time when education systems continue to address learning gaps created by disruptions in schooling during recent years.

Children who missed regular classroom learning may have progressed to higher grades without developing some basic skills. This can create difficulties because later lessons often depend on the ability to read, write and understand simple text.

The Read & Rise Programme seeks to respond to this problem by placing foundational literacy at the centre of early education.

Universal Reading Readiness Mission

The Universal Reading Readiness Mission provides the broader framework for the programme. Its focus is on ensuring that children achieve basic literacy skills at an appropriate age.

The target of confident reading and writing by the age of seven provides a clear milestone for schools, teachers and families.

For older children who are behind this level, the three-month reading target provides a more immediate learning goal. Regular assessment and classroom support can help teachers track progress and identify children who require additional assistance.

Government and education officials attend launch

The launch event in Shillong was attended by senior state education officials and representatives.

Lahkmen Rymbui, Meghalaya’s Education Minister, attended the programme as the guest of honour. Vijay Kumar Mantri, Commissioner and Secretary of the Education Department, was also present.

Their participation highlighted the state government’s focus on improving foundational learning and strengthening school education.

CM-IMPACT and classroom improvement

The CM-IMPACT initiative is a broader Meghalaya government effort connected with school performance and classroom outcomes. The Read & Rise component gives special attention to basic literacy, which is one of the most important foundations of school education.

Improving reading skills can have benefits beyond language learning. Children who can understand written instructions and simple texts are better placed to learn mathematics, science, social studies and other subjects.

The programme therefore connects early literacy with wider improvements in children’s learning journeys.

Learning support through structured materials

The release of the teacher training guide is another significant part of the initiative. Structured teaching materials can help create greater consistency in how reading readiness is developed across schools.

Teachers can use such resources to plan activities, identify children’s learning levels and provide additional practice where needed.

For children in remote areas, consistent teaching methods and suitable learning materials can be particularly valuable because they may have fewer opportunities for outside academic support.

Meghalaya’s wider education focus

The Read & Rise Programme reflects a growing focus on foundational learning in India’s school education system. Governments are increasingly giving importance to early reading, writing and numeracy because these skills form the foundation for later education.

Meghalaya’s programme combines a clear age-based literacy goal, targeted support for older children with learning gaps, teacher training and attention to rural and remote communities.

The implementation of these measures across schools will be important for reaching children who need additional support and ensuring that early learning remains a strong part of Meghalaya’s education system.