Shillong, Jul 3: Meghalaya’s woeful Performance Grading Index (PGI) ranking would not have been so bad if schools had filled out their paperwork properly and thoroughly.
Meghalaya is consistently ranked one of the worst states in the country in the national PGI education rankings and today Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said Meghalaya would have gotten a few more marks had its schools closed gaps in data reporting.
Addressing a gathering during the foundation stone laying of Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School and a felicitation programme for meritorious students, the CM said that the PGI is “not a fair representation of Meghalaya’s education system”.
Simple and achievable indicators, such as availability of reading spaces or basic awareness programmes like cyber safety, have not been adequately reported by schools, resulting in avoidable loss of marks, he claimed, adding, “We have lost nearly 100 marks due to gaps in communication and reporting.”
Calling it a “low-hanging opportunity,” he urged school heads and the education department to focus on accurate and timely reporting. “These are simple steps, but they require attention. If we strengthen our reporting systems, our PGI rankings will improve significantly,” he added.
On the other hand the state government is taking measures it hopes will also boost Meghalaya’s PGI score, such as upgrading 2,000 schools, investing in infrastructure and improving SSLC pass percentages (largely through the introduction of student guidebooks).
“Transformation is happening. From infrastructure to results, we are moving in the right direction. Now we must ensure that our progress is properly captured and reflected,” Sangma said.
