Over 500 Meghalaya schools lack govt recognition; SOP to address issue

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the state's school openings will shortly be established by the Meghalaya Education Department.

The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), a central government initiative to identify all schools nationwide, did not recognize many Meghalayan schools, which made the SOP necessary.

More than 500 schools in Meghalaya are not recognized by the government's Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), according to Swapnil Tembe, Special Project Director of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

According to the proposed SOP, he added, everyone who wants to operate a school must ask for authorization and provide proof that they have the necessary facilities.

According to him, the schools will receive a UDISE designation and permanent recognition depending on their enrollment and performance.

The official highlighted the necessity of appropriate documentation before opening, raising concern that certain schools had functioned without UDISE approval.

According to Tembe, all state governments have been instructed by the union government to look after these unrecognized schools.

“So we have asked them to go and verify whether they have all the required basic amenities so that they can be recognized,” he said.

“Anyone wishing to start a school must apply for permission and show that they have the necessary infrastructure. Once permission is granted, they can begin operations. After three years, if the school performs well and maintains sufficient enrollment, it will be granted permanent recognition and a UDISE code,” he added.