Shillong: Meghalaya’s lowest ranking in the recently released Performing Grade Index (PGI) 2023-24 for district-level school education has sparked intense political backlash, with the BJP Meghalaya unit and the opposition All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) sharply criticizing the state’s education policies and governance. Reacting to the dismal performance, BJP Meghalaya spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang demanded immediate reforms starting at the foundational level of the education system. "We need to reorganize education from the lower primary stage, appoint qualified teachers, improve infrastructure, and make learning more engaging," Kharkrang said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure quality and urged the government to eliminate the problem of “proxy teachers.” Kharkrang emphasized that investment in education is the foundation of any developed society, and Meghalaya must act decisively to reverse its declining educational standards. In defense, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma attributed the state’s poor PGI ranking to “technicalities and structural challenges,” arguing that the data used was outdated and failed to reflect the reforms currently underway. He maintained that the government was making progress, though it might not be fully captured in the latest report. However, the TMC strongly rebutted the government’s explanation, labeling the PGI outcome as "undeniable proof of total failure" under the Conrad Sangma-led MDA government. The party accused the administration of “shortcomings in delivery and intent” and dismissed the recent rise in matriculation pass percentages as artificially inflated through mass promotions and distribution of guidebooks, rather than genuine academic progress. "The PGI tells the real story—understaffed schools, broken infrastructure, demoralized teachers, and poor governance," a TMC statement read. The party has demanded a white paper from the state government detailing recruitment processes, infrastructure development, use of educational funds, and preparedness for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP). As pressure mounts from both the BJP and TMC, the MDA government faces growing calls for transparency, accountability, and urgent reform in Meghalaya’s struggling education sector.
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