SHILLONG, MAY 29: UDP chief and Cabinet Minister Metbah Lyngdoh on Friday termed the state’s performance in the Performance Grading Index a “serious concern,” saying the problems were inherited but government initiatives had begun showing results on the ground.
“See, as far as the index, it raises a serious concern, and this has really been going on for quite some time,” Lyngdoh said when asked about the PGI ranking.
“But you seen that a lot of initiatives here I would like to stress that the government has initiated and we have see results also on the ground.”
Lyngdoh said the state’s education challenges were rooted in systemic issues. “I have been mentioning from time to time that this has been the problem that we have inherited good quite number of years,” he said.
“As I have mentioned always in my address that there are different types of 10-15-20 types of schools in our state. Why so? Because lot of things which was miss out at the time when government initiated for setting up of new schools in the state.”
He pointed to low teacher salaries as a factor affecting delivery.
“It is very difficult to say right now but as you are aware few years back even till last months also you have seen some teachers who are getting salary at Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000,” Lyngdoh said.
“One can see that how can you look at the education department as far as the delivery part is concern with regards to the students in the entire state,” he added.
While noting that reforms were underway, Lyngdoh said it would take time for them to show impact. “Government has taken initiatives as far as that part is concern but is yet to get bear fruits,” he said.
He deferred to the education minister for details. “Since education is not with me, it is with my colleague, he will be the right person to tell you exactly, what is going on and what exactly is the way forward as far as the education department is concern,” Lyngdoh said.
“But I believe that whatever steps they have taken, this will definitely bear fruits, if not immediately but in the years to come,” he added.
