Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently showcased Meghalaya's progress in the education sector during a NITI Aayog meeting held in New Delhi. He reported significant improvements in the state's Performance Grading Index, noting a rise from 401.62 in the 2022-23 period to 448 by 2025. Sangma attributed these gains to proactive government measures that have successfully lowered dropout rates and boosted student pass percentages.
Addressing the council, Sangma highlighted that secondary school dropout rates dropped from 17.4 percent in 2024-25 to 6.7 percent in 2025-26, placing the state well below the national average. He also pointed to a sharp increase in SSLC pass rates, which climbed to 96 percent in 2025 and 97 percent in 2026. “These are early indications of improvements following government steps,” Sangma stated.
The state has worked to overcome structural challenges related to its high number of remote schools. By investing Rs 457 crore into infrastructure across 2,230 government schools and rationalizing the school network from 14,582 to 11,443 institutions, the government aims to use resources more efficiently. These efforts are supported by the ADB-funded Supporting Human Capital program.
Beyond general education, the Chief Minister noted advancements in higher and professional training. Meghalaya opened its first medical college in September 2025 with 50 MBBS seats, and the All India Council for Technical Education recently approved the Tura College of Architecture and Planning. These developments align with the state's long-term vision, known as the Transformation Journey 2032.
During the broader discussions with NITI Aayog, Sangma advocated for policies tailored to the unique realities of the Northeast rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. He also encouraged deeper regional collaboration in trade and environmental sustainability to foster economic growth and meaningful human development.
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