Sohkha, West Jaiñtia Hills, July 3: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said Meghalaya’s Performance Grading Index (PGI) ranking fails to accurately capture the progress made in the state’s education sector, attributing the shortfall largely to gaps in how schools report data rather than actual performance.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying of Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School and a felicitation programme for meritorious students, Sangma said the state has been losing crucial marks in national assessments due to poor documentation of achievable indicators.
“Sadly, the ranking reflected in the PGI is not a fair representation of Meghalaya’s education system. The issue is not always performance, but how we report it,” he said.
Nearly 100 marks lost to reporting gaps
The Chief Minister said schools have failed to adequately report simple, easily fulfilled indicators such as the availability of reading spaces or basic initiatives like cyber safety awareness programmes, leading to avoidable losses in the index.
“In many cases, small efforts like conducting a one-day awareness programme or correctly reporting available facilities could have earned us crucial points. We have lost nearly 100 marks due to gaps in communication and reporting,” he said.
Describing improved reporting as a “low-hanging opportunity,” Sangma urged school heads and the education department to prioritise accurate and timely data submission.
“These are simple steps, but they require attention. If we strengthen our reporting systems, our PGI rankings will improve significantly,” he said.
Eight years of progress in education sector
The Chief Minister pointed to what he described as substantial gains in education over the past eight years, including the upgrading of more than 2,000 schools, sustained investment in infrastructure, and an improvement in SSLC pass percentages to over 95% in recent years.
“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,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued support for school infrastructure, connectivity and expanding educational access across the state.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla were among those present at the event, which also saw the inauguration of a Children and Adolescent Library and digital infrastructure at Sohkha Mission Village.
