Pokhriyal OKs Performance Grading Index 2019-20 for states; UTs get A++

sanjay.jog@fpj.co.in

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Sunday approved the release of Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2019-20 for states and Union Territories. The government has introduced the Performance Grading Index with a set of 70 parameters to ca­t­alyse transformational ch­a­n­­ge in school education.

The PGI for states and UTs was first published in 2019 with reference year 2017-18. The PGI: States/UTs for 2019-20 is the third publication in this series. The PGI exercise envisages the index would propel states/UTs towards undertaking multi-pronged interventions that will bring about the much-desired optimal education outcomes. The PGI helps the states/UTs to pinpoint the gaps and accordingly prioritise areas for intervention to ensure the school education system is robust at every level.

In a tweet Pokhriyal said, “Approved the release of Performance Grading Index 2019-20 which is designed to catalyse transformational change in school education.’’

The ministry of education in a statement said the PGI exercise envisages the index would propel states/UTs towards undertaking multi-pronged interventions that will bring about the much-desired optimal education outcomes. The PGI helps the states/UTs to pinpoint the gaps and accordingly prioritise areas for intervention to ensure the school education system is robust at all levels.

Punjab, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Kerala occupy the highest grade (Grade A++) for 2019-20, the statement said, adding Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal, Manipur, Puducherry, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have improved overall PGI score by 10%.

According to the ministry, 13 states/UTs showed improvement by 10% or more in the PGI domain: Infrastructure and Facilities. Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Odisha have shown improvement by 20% or more.

Arunachal, Manipur and Odisha have shown more than 10% improvement in the PGI domain: Equity. 19 states/UTs have shown improvement by 10% (36 points) or more in the PGI domain: Governance Pro­cess. A&N Islands, Andhra, Arunachal, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan and Bengal have shown improvement by 20% (72 points or more),” said the ministry.