Shillong, Jun 3: The Meghalaya government is working towards transforming the education system by integrating a community skill curriculum for students from primary to secondary levels, which aims to introduce practical and skill-oriented learning that could enhance educational outcomes.
Officials believe that this initiative will address the state’s low performance in the Performance Grading Index (PGI) for school education.
Meghalaya’s low ranking in the PGI for school education has left the government red-faced. Officials indicate that low rankings do not represent the true potential of students but rather stem from structural and administrative hurdles.
Today, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma chaired a high-level review meeting with the Education Department to assess the ranking and reforms being undertaken to strengthen the state’s education ecosystem.
Officials outlined the various indicators that contribute to the PGI framework and highlighted the significant interventions already underway to improve learning outcomes, strengthen school infrastructure, expand vocational education, and enhance data management systems.
The meeting focused on “Learning Outcomes,” which carries the highest weightage under the PGI framework. A range of initiatives aimed at strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, improving classroom teaching, and supporting students are being implemented across the state, officials said.
Officials also highlighted Meghalaya’s “unique” educational landscape, with nearly 14,600 schools serving a population of approximately 30 lakh. The government believes that the network reflects the state’s longstanding commitment to ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to schooling, making Meghalaya one of the most accessible education systems in the Northeastern region.
Officials informed that the government has undertaken a series of transformative reforms over the last few years, including investments in foundational learning, teacher welfare, school infrastructure, digital learning facilities, and student support systems.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing phased upgradation of school infrastructure. Officials said significant efforts are being made to establish and strengthen science laboratories, ICT facilities, smart classrooms, libraries, kitchen gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, drinking water facilities, and solar-powered infrastructure in schools across Meghalaya.
It was also informed that the government is also strengthening several student welfare initiatives, including improvements in the Mid-Day Meal programme, installation of sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators in girls’ schools, and other measures aimed at creating a safe and supportive learning environment.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing efforts to strengthen digital governance and educational data systems. Officials said steps are being taken to improve data reporting, digital compliance, Aadhaar integration, and institutional record management to ensure that educational progress across the state is accurately reflected in national assessment frameworks.
A key highlight of the presentation was the progress made under the school rationalization programme. Out of 14,582 schools in Meghalaya, 3,198 schools have already been merged or consolidated, enabling better utilization of teachers, improved resource allocation, and enhanced delivery of educational services, officials said.
The chief minister reiterated the state’s commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for every child. He directed deputy commissioners and district administrations to collaborate with the education department in a mission-mode focussing on speeding up the implementation of key interventions, identifying existing gaps, and ensuring timely action to uplift the standards of education in Meghalaya.
He also called for a data-driven approach to enhance educational performance, by adopting evidence-based interventions to evaluate and adjust strategies based on performance metrics.
