Higher teacher-student ratio in Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 29 (UNI) Although the school dropout rate is alarming and the state is yet to achieve the goal of primary education for all, Meghalaya tops the chart in the teacher-student ratio in the field of elementary education.

At least one teacher is available for every 30 pupils in the state, which is better than the national ratio of 1:40, Chief Minister D D Lapang said.

''We shall select the best teachers for educating our children.

There will be no favouritism or back-door appointments,'' Mr Lapang asserted.

''Only the best of the lot and fittest will be appointed as teachers,'' he iterated, adding, that the government would increase the pay package of primary school teachers. Besides, teachers in the elementary level would also be imparted with suitable training, he said.

Mr Lapang said the government was working towards reducing the high school dropout rate in the state. The government has engaged the education department of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to undertake a comprehensive study of dropout rate in the state, he informed.

According to data released by the education department, the dropout rate in Meghalaya in the primary level is 41.26 per cent, 10.60 per cent in the upper primary level and 11.13 per cent in the secondary level.

Altogether there are 2539 lower primary schools, 56 upper primary schools, three secondary schools, 19 higher secondary schools and four special category schools in the state.

UNI XC SP RN 1731