Editor
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 provides insights into the educational performance of various states, including Meghalaya and other North Eastern States. In Meghalaya school enrolment for children aged 7 to 16 remains strong, with a continued preference for government schools. On foundational literacy approximately 31.1% of Grade III students in government schools could read at expected Grade II level. As far as Arithmetic skills are concerned, only a small fraction of Grade V students demonstrated the ability to perform division tasks. When it comes to digital literacy, nearly 95% of surveyed households reported owning a smartphone, with a substantial number of children engaging in educational activities online. In arithmetic skills, both Meghalaya and Nagaland showed improvements, but Nagaland outperformed Meghalaya in foundational numeracy.
In reading levels Meghalaya showed progress among Grade III students, while Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh faced challenges in improving reading proficiency. As far as digital literacy is concerned Meghalaya which reported a high level of smartphone ownership and usage for educational activities is a positive trend compared to other states. Overall, while Meghalaya has made notable progress in certain areas, there are still challenges to address, particularly in arithmetic skills.
In the ASER 2024 survey, Mizoram emerged as the best-performing state among the North Eastern States. When it comes to reading skills, Mizoram had the highest proportion of Class 5 children in government schools at 64.9% who could read a Class 2 level text. There has been a significant improvement in basic arithmetic skills, with a notable increase in the percentage of children able to perform subtraction. The overall performance indicates that there has been a substantial gain in both reading and arithmetic skills, reflecting the effectiveness of educational interventions and policies implemented in the state.
According to the ASER 2024 survey, the states that performed the best in terms of learning outcomes in the country are Kerala with consistently high performance in both reading and arithmetic skills. Himachal Pradesh with significant improvements in foundational literacy and numeracy. Punjab with a notable progress in reading levels and arithmetic skills. Uttar Pradesh with a remarkable recovery in learning levels, especially in government schools. Maharashtra with a steady improvement in both reading and arithmetic skills. Odisha significantly gained in foundational literacy and numeracy. There has been an impressive improvement in reading levels among primary school students in Haryana and there has been a sharp rise in reading and arithmetic skills in Uttarakhand. These states have shown significant progress in improving learning outcomes, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Whither Smart City?
Editor,
The street lights in municipal areas have not been functioning for months. The maintenance work for street lighting is ostensibly carried out by the Smart City Project ( as informed by the MeECL) who are impossible to contact. Can we have a functioning toll free number or any contact number for citizens’ complaints? Then we have cables of varying kinds strung carelessly all over and in some cases are dangling precariously over the roads. This in Lower New Colony endangers motorists climbing up that steep road. Can this be taken care of?
Then we have a lot of new speed breakers being installed which is a welcome step but can we have them suitably identified by being painted in stripes? Also, can a decent footpath be in place along the Laitumkhrah market area so one can walk without fear of injury to life and limb?
Smart city we may be but the basics need to be functioning in the first place.
Yours etc.,
G Shabong,
Shillong-3
CM’s direct connect with citizens
Editor,
I thank the Chief Minister for addressing the public live via press conferences. This daring governance plan, which elevates Adam Smith’s invisible hand over all other natural laws, serves as a model. Through this decision, not only is the Chief Minister reaching out to the people of the state, but he is also strengthening the relationship between the government and citizens by establishing greater trust through transparency.
In an era of rapid disinformation, nothing is more essential than direct communication between the leader and the people. The conventional walls between governance and the populace allow for speculation, misinterpretation and even mistrust. The Chief Minister’s real-time interaction with citizens will leave no room for doubt regarding government policies, decisions, and actions. This initiative is a hallmark of responsible and responsive leadership — the kind that is not afraid to come under public scrutiny but welcomes it.
Besides delivering accurate information, these live press conferences foster a sense of inclusivity. Availability is the foundation of democracy, allowing for feedback and ensuring equal representation. This gives citizens the assurance that their concerns, opinions, and voices are valued in shaping the future. This means that such engagement will promote civic participation — citizens will be aware, engaged, and invested in government policies and programs.
This program provides a superb model for other leaders to emulate. Transparency in leadership is still a challenge, even in many democracies. The Chief Minister’s open engagement should inspire others to follow suit, ensuring governance is accessible to the people and not confined to inefficient government offices.
Hope this practice continues as people need more interaction with their representatives where citizens are no longer just listened to, but citizens will have to listen and engage with their representatives to open a discussion in themselves. The foundation of any strong democracy is an informed citizenry, and initiatives like this lay the groundwork for a more engaged and informed populace. This type of leadership fosters confidence and strengthens the foundation of democracy.
Yours etc.,
Teresa Phawa Lyngdoh,
Via email