Shillong, Jun 27: Stung by Meghalaya’s poor performance in the latest Performance Grading Index (PGI) for school education, the state government has drawn up an action plan aimed at improving both its ranking and the overall quality of education.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the government views the PGI not merely as a scorecard but as a tool to identify gaps in the education system and guide reforms.
While acknowledging that shortcomings exist, the minister maintained that incomplete and inaccurate reporting by schools had significantly affected Meghalaya’s performance in the national assessment.
“There are many facilities available in our schools that have not been reflected because the data was not properly updated,” Rymbui said.
He said officials have been directed to ensure that all schools accurately upload and update their information so that the state’s infrastructure and facilities are properly represented.
“The true picture has to be reflected in the data,” he stressed.
According to the minister, several schools equipped with basic amenities, including toilets, failed to report them during the data collection process. He also questioned findings related to digital connectivity, stating that while the report suggests many schools lack internet access, nearly 90 per cent of the state’s areas have mobile network connectivity.
Rymbui said the issue was discussed extensively during a recent education conclave, where officials deliberated on strategies to improve Meghalaya’s future PGI performance. He reiterated that better reporting of existing facilities would contribute to a more accurate assessment.
As part of the government’s efforts to strengthen school infrastructure, more than 800 schools are being provided with solar lighting. The minister also urged private schools to participate actively in the reporting process by submitting accurate data.
Beyond improving the state’s PGI ranking, the government is also introducing initiatives to strengthen classroom learning, particularly in Science and Mathematics. Rymbui said assessments have identified learning gaps in these subjects in several parts of the state, prompting targeted programmes to make them more engaging and improve students’ understanding.
