Our Bureau
SHILLONG/JOWAI, July 3: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday stressed the need to strengthen reporting mechanisms in schools, saying Meghalaya’s Performance Grading Index (PGI) ranking does not accurately reflect the progress made in the education sector due to gaps in data submission and documentation.
Addressing a gathering during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School and a felicitation programme for meritorious students, Sangma said the state had been losing valuable marks in PGI assessments because schools and education authorities were failing to adequately report achievements and initiatives.
“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,” the Chief Minister said.
He noted that several PGI indicators are simple and achievable, but schools often fail to document and report them properly. Facilities such as reading spaces and awareness programmes on issues like cyber safety could earn schools important points if accurately reported.
“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 the issue as a “low-hanging opportunity.”
Sangma urged school heads and Education Department officials to focus on timely and accurate data submission. “These are simple steps, but they require attention. If we strengthen our reporting systems, our PGI rankings will improve significantly,” he added.
Underlining the government’s achievements over the past eight years, he said more than 2,000 schools had been upgraded with substantial investments in infrastructure. Academic performance had also improved, with Secondary School Leaving Certificate pass rates crossing 95 per cent 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,” Sangma stressed.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening education, he assured continued support for improving school infrastructure, connectivity and access to educational opportunities.
The programme was attended by Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, among others. The event also witnessed the inauguration of a Children and Adolescent Library and digital infrastructure at Sohkha Mission Village to promote holistic educational development.
