SHILLONG : The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has questioned the state’s “facade” of educational progress, raising concerns over a sharp increase in board examination pass rates and the lack of digital infrastructure in schools across Meghalaya.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, MPCC secretary Manuel Badwar said the rise in pass percentages—from around 57 per cent to nearly 90 per cent within a year—deserves closer examination. He argued that while the government celebrates record results, many schools continue to struggle with poor facilities and limited access to technology. Badwar also criticised the government’s use of the Chief Minister’s Guidebooks, alleging that they encourage memorisation instead of critical thinking. He said the initiative appears to focus more on publicity than improving the quality of education.
The Congress leader pointed out that only 19.7 per cent of schools in Meghalaya have access to computers, leaving nearly four out of five schools without basic digital facilities. He said the situation places students, particularly those in rural areas, at a disadvantage as competitive examinations such as CUET and NEET increasingly rely on online systems.”We have seen students unable to complete online applications or even miss admission opportunities because of poor internet connectivity at common service centres,” Badwar said.
He also referred to the case of a student who secured admission to an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) but could not continue due to financial difficulties and procedural challenges. The MPCC further alleged that teachers are spending more time on administrative responsibilities than classroom teaching, affecting the quality of education. Calling for immediate intervention, the Congress urged the state government to strengthen school infrastructure, improve digital access and address learning outcomes instead of relying primarily on central schemes. The party also sought a detailed assessment of rural schools, saying many students continue to miss educational opportunities because they lack access to computers and reliable internet.