SHILLONG: Former Education & Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has urged people not to lose confidence in Meghalaya’s education system despite the state’s poor performance in the latest Performance Grading Index (PGI), saying the findings should serve as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done. The PGI, prepared by the Union Ministry of Education, assesses states and union territories on parameters such as learning outcomes, access to education, infrastructure and governance. Meghalaya has consistently figured among the lower-ranked states in recent years.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Lyngdoh said the rankings should not be viewed solely as a criticism of the government but as an opportunity to identify shortcomings and improve the education sector.
“These assessments help us understand where we are lagging behind and what areas require immediate attention. Instead of being discouraged, we should use them to improve,” she said. The former minister stressed that improving education requires the involvement of all stakeholders and cannot be left entirely to the government. “The responsibility does not rest with the government alone. Parents, teachers and communities all have an important role in ensuring children remain engaged with their education,” she said.Lyngdoh also highlighted positive developments that she believes are often overlooked. She pointed to the performance of students from lesser-known institutions, including Gorkha Pathshala Higher Secondary School, in recent board examinations. She further noted that an increasing number of students from Meghalaya are pursuing professional courses such as medicine and engineering, indicating growing educational aspirations among young people.
Referring to investments made in the sector over the years, Lyngdoh said the expansion of educational infrastructure should also be acknowledged.
“Significant efforts have been made to expand access to education across the state. It would be unfair to ignore the progress that has been achieved,” she remarked. At the same time, she expressed concern over schools with zero enrolment and reports of teacher absenteeism, describing them as issues that require urgent intervention. Lyngdoh said reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and a stronger emphasis on vocational and skill-based education could help create opportunities for students with different talents and interests.
She also defended initiatives such as the CM IMPACT Guidebook programme, saying such measures were introduced to support learning and improve academic outcomes. Pointing to the emergence of board toppers from rural and remote areas, Lyngdoh said it reflected the gradual expansion of educational opportunities beyond urban centres.
Maintaining an optimistic outlook, she called for collective efforts to strengthen the sector. “There are certainly challenges before us, but I remain hopeful. Real progress will come when families, schools, communities and the government work together towards the same goal,” she said.