Editor,
I write this letter as a deeply frustrated and helpless student — a victim of the complete failure of both the Indian Government and the Meghalaya State Government to safeguard the future of the very people they claim to serve.
On July 10, I have an important train to catch from Guwahati to attend my exams — and like countless others from Shillong, I must leave home on July 9, cross a state border, and reach Guwahati just because Shillong has no railway station of its own. This is not a new problem. It is a long-standing issue that none of our governments — state nor central — have cared to address. Even today, we continue to pay the price for this negligence. Why must students from Shillong suffer due to this gaping infrastructural failure?
Now, as Bharat Bandh disrupts transport, Meghalaya taxi unions have declared they will not operate to Guwahati. This means students like me may miss their trains, their exams, and potentially lose a full academic year — all because governments have failed to make basic arrangements or reach understanding with unions in time. Why has no alternative transport plan been announced? Why no emergency measures?
To every politician who comes door-to-door during elections, offering promises of “service” — where are you now? Will you pay compensation for my academic loss? Will you open your VIP convoys — funded by our taxes — to help students reach Guwahati safely? Will any of you stand with us now, when your inaction costs us our future?
This isn’t just an inconvenience. It is disruption, abandonment, and apathy by elected leaders who owe us accountability. If any of you have even a shred of responsibility left, you should have intervened before the night of July 8, talked to the unions, and ensured the safe movement of public — at the very least, for students.
But why would you? You are rich. You don’t travel in shared taxis. You don’t need to worry about missing trains or exams. You lose nothing. We, the common people, the students, lose everything.
I say this with deep anger and pain — shame on all of you who let this happen. Your silence is louder than your promises. Your comfort is built on our struggles. You have failed us.
As deep as my anger stands today, so does my fear. I fully understand the consequences of speaking up, and while I desperately want to voice this pain, I am equally afraid to publish my name. Not because I have done anything wrong — but because those in power may not act to relieve public suffering, yet they will not hesitate to act against anyone who dares to hurt their ego.
I request the Editor to kindly withhold my name from publication. But I also urge you to include this paragraph, because it reflects a terrifying truth: students in Meghalaya and across India are not just feeling abandoned — they are afraid to even express themselves – a right that should be protected in any democracy.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Plea to revive education in our State
Editor,
Through these columns, I wish to draw attention to the alarming state of the education system that continues to plague Meghalaya. It’s a paradox that in a state celebrated for its rich literary tradition, cultural depth, and widespread enthusiasm for learning, the actual infrastructure and quality of education remains deeply inadequate. Poorly maintained schools, underpaid teachers, and the lack of basic facilities such as libraries and laboratories do not reflect the aspirations of a state that once ambitiously declared its vision to become an educational hub of India.
While our youth strive towards higher education and professional excellence, many are held back by systemic neglect and bureaucratic apathy. It’s high time the Government and concerned authorities moved beyond token gestures and instead prioritized meaningful, sustainable educational reform. Improved infrastructure, teacher training, curriculum modernization, and fair access to resources are essential if we are to truly honour the spirit of learning that Meghalaya proudly upholds.
It’s worth noting that Meghalaya ranked favourably in recent NITI Aayog reports, reflecting our potential for sustainable development. This further underscores the need, the opportunity, and the capability of transformative action.
I sincerely hope the authorities take note of the plight of students and commit to realising the promise once made, setting an example that with dedicated governance and right initiative, even low ranking states can rise and shine!
Yours etc.,
Devansh Agarwal,
Via email
Reforms in education
Editor,
The editorial “MEG- What is VPP’s Proposal?” (ST July 8 2025) made interesting reading. The editorial has rightly said “A cumulative data of the amount spent over years in financing these schools with zero outcomes, would run into thousands of crores. Hence the MDA Government’s attempt to streamline financing cannot be interpreted as an attempt to privatise education.” “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance” – Robert Orben, underscores that while education may seem costly, the long-term consequences of ignorance – such as poor decision-making, inequality, and societal stagnation – are far more damaging and expensive. The table below indicates the root causes of Meghalaya’s poor Performance Grading Index 2.0 which currently ranks lowest in India’s PGI 2.0 Index.
Comparative snapshot of North Eastern States performance in school education across key domain (2022-23)
Source: Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Note: P2 is Moderate effort, P3 is Low moderate effort, P4 is Low effort, P5 Very low effort and A3 Lowest performing tier.
Reform Blueprint
To rationalize and revitalize Meghalaya’s Education System there is a need for infrastructural overhaul by ensuring 100% access to toilets, clean water, electricity, and safe classrooms. prioritize renovation of the 2,700+ schools already identified as structurally weak; introduce modular, climate-resilient school designs for remote areas.
For school rationalization and consolidation, the first step is to merge under-enrolled schools (e.g., those with less than 10 students) into cluster schools with shared resources.
Provide transport or residential facilities to ensure access post-consolidation.
Use UDISE+ data to eliminate ghost schools and optimize resource allocation. In the case of Teacher Workforce Reform, conduct a statewide audit of teacher deployment and qualification.
Introduce merit-based recruitment and mandatory in-service training. Upskill teachers in digital pedagogy and multilingual instruction (Khasi, Garo and English).
For Curriculum and Pedagogy Modernization, fully adopt NCERT-aligned textbooks and competency-based learning. Integrate foundational literacy numeracy (FLN) missions with local cultural content and introduce experiential learning, coding, and life skills from upper primary levels.
As for Governance and Accountability, digitize school monitoring with real-time dashboards for attendance, performance, and infrastructure. Empower School Management Committees (SMCs) with training and quarterly fund disbursal.
Publish annual school report cards for transparency and community engagement.
For Equity and Inclusion, target tribal and remote communities with bridge programs and mother-tongue instruction. Provide midday meals, menstrual hygiene kits, and scholarships to reduce dropouts and ensure disability-friendly infrastructure and inclusive classrooms.
Budget Reallocation and Innovation, ring-fence funds for innovation, digital learning, and teacher development. Link future grants to performance and equity indicators – not just enrolment and partner with genuine NGOs and ed-tech firms for scalable interventions. From fragmented and fragile to unified and future-ready – Meghalaya’s education system must be reimagined as a driver of equity, innovation and resilience.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email