Shillong, July 04: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today emphasized the urgent need to strengthen reporting mechanisms in schools to improve Meghalaya’s Performance Grading Index (PGI), stating that the current ranking does not accurately reflect the State’s progress in education.
Addressing a gathering during the foundation stone laying of Sohkha Government Higher Secondary School and a felicitation programme for meritorious students, the Chief Minister highlighted that gaps in data reporting have led to significant loss of marks in PGI assessments.
“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.
He pointed out that simple and achievable indicators, such as availability of reading spaces or basic awareness programmes like cyber safety, have not been adequately reported by schools, resulting in avoidable loss of marks.
“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,” the Chief Minister said.
Calling it a “low-hanging opportunity,” he urged school heads and the education department to focus on accurate and timely reporting. “These are simple steps, but they require attention. If we strengthen our reporting systems, our PGI rankings will improve significantly,” he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government has made substantial progress in the education sector over the past eight years, including upgrading over 2,000 schools, investing heavily in infrastructure, and improving 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 assured continued government support for strengthening school infrastructure, improving connectivity, and expanding educational opportunities across the state. Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla were also present at the programme.
The event also marked the inauguration of a Children and Adolescent Library and digital infrastructure at Sohkha Mission Village, reaffirming the government’s commitment to holistic educational development.
