The Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Cell of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Nagaland, along with in-service teacher trainees of the two-year Diploma in foundational stage education, celebrated ECCE Day at SCERT Kohima on April 16. The event formed part of the course-based learning experience and sought to highlight the significance of early childhood care and education.
Gracing the occasion as special guest, additional secretary, Department of School Education, Vikhweno Chale, commended SCERT for organising a well-structured programme and equipping educators with innovative teaching skills and methodologies. Stressing the importance of the foundational stage, she noted that 85 percent of brain development occurs during this period, making appropriate care and nurturing essential. Chale emphasized the department’s efforts to shift towards competency-based education, encouraging teachers to deepen their understanding of children, build connections and foster real-life learning experiences.
Delivering the keynote address, SCERT Director, Kerüüpfeü Rupreo described ECCE Day as a celebration of childhood, curiosity, creativity and the joy of learning. She highlighted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places unprecedented emphasis on early childhood care and education, recognizing it as the foundation of all future learning. Rupreo explained that the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (2022) and the NCF for School Education (2023) have guided educators to reimagine classrooms as joyful, play-based, activity-oriented spaces.
She noted that this marks a significant shift from teaching as instruction to teaching as facilitation, from rote learning to experiential learning, and from uniform methods to developmentally appropriate practices. Rupreo expressed satisfaction that many of these practices are low-cost, locally adaptable, and rooted in Nagaland’s rich community knowledge and culture.
The programme was chaired by senior lecturer ECCE Cell SCERT, Veketulu Veyie. Teachers Imtimongba from GPS Impang, Chuchuyimlang and Toghunaka T. Awomi from GPS Sahuboto shared their experiences, reflecting on the practical impact of ECCE in their schools.
The celebration also featured screening of project work undertaken by trainees, showcasing context-specific activities, creativity and innovations. A performance of the traditional Konyak lullaby “Nau ü Pu” added cultural depth to the event.
