Imna Along says conclave to address region-specific education challenges
DIMAPUR, SEP 17 (NPN): Nagaland is set to host the first North East National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Conclave for the Northeastern region on September 18–19 at JP Parks and Banquets, Naga United, Chümoukedima. The conclave will bring together stakeholders from all eight Northeastern states to deliberate on challenges in implementing NEP 2020 and to formulate a roadmap tailored to the region’s unique needs.
At a press conference in Dimapur, Nagaland’s Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, said the conclave would serve as a platform for states to discuss common challenges and evolve strategies for effective and holistic implementation of NEP 2020. He emphasized that the conclave would not be limited to higher education but would also cover school and technical education, alongside innovation, technology, skills, and management.
Minister Along highlighted the distinct challenges faced by the Northeast, particularly its geographical terrain and scattered population. He stressed the importance of collectively presenting these concerns to the Government of India.
Along also highlighted infrastructure development and reforms in Nagaland’s education sector. He noted improvements in school, higher, and technical education, while acknowledging that challenges remain. Infrastructure development in higher education has progressed with assistance from the Government of India and the State government, with polytechnics expanding and efforts underway to establish an engineering college at Kelhoshe Polytechnic.
He further pointed out that many students from Nagaland pursue higher and technical education outside the state due to geographical and demographic challenges. The conclave, he said, could help facilitate programmes to address such issues.
According to Director of Higher Education, Lovitoly Sema, around 36 officers from Northeastern states will present the status of NEP 2020 implementation in their respective states. Nagaland expects 300–400 participants from schools, colleges and universities, both government and private. The conclave will feature parallel sessions on school education, higher education and technical education, with four states presenting on the first day and the remaining four on the second.
Joint Director of Higher Education, Dr. Medongoi Rhakho, noted that the conclave would focus on the comprehensiveness of NEP 2020, enabling states to present their implementation status and common challenges. These would be documented and later placed before authorities during policy review.
Rhakho clarified that while states are implementing the same policy according to their respective contexts, documenting region-specific challenges would help ensure the Northeast’s concerns are considered during the eventual review of NEP 2020.
Secretary of Higher and Technical Education, Sarita Yadav, said it would be inappropriate to describe Nagaland’s implementation as a failure. Instead, the focus should be on identifying gaps and addressing challenges collectively. She emphasized the participation of stakeholders from school, higher, and technical education to ensure a holistic assessment and enable the region to submit its concerns and recommendations to the Centre.