Minister of Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, called for comprehensive adoption of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, describing it as the first of its kind in Nagaland.
He emphasized the transformative role of education in addressing 21st-century challenges, underscoring the need for societal participation in implementing the NEP 2020.
Along noted that change should begin at the school level and praised Dr. Kekhrie Yhome’s efforts in revolutionizing school education. He encouraged extending NEP 2020’s influence beyond classrooms to impact individuals holistically.
The minister was speaking as chief guest at the academic assembly and the KC Gandhi Award 2024 ceremony organized by Purvottar Janjati Shiksha Samiti (North East), in collaboration with the department of Higher Education, at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, on November 9, under the theme “Challenges to the Implementation of NEP 2020,” which focused on addressing educational challenges in Nagaland.
Guest of Honour, advisor of School Education and SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, acknowledged the hurdles in implementing NEP 2020 but reaffirmed his commitment to achieving its goals.
Highlighting key statistics, he revealed that of Nagaland’s 1,939 schools, 722 are private institutions. Due to overpopulation in schools, 107 schools were recently amalgamated, shifting the focus toward quality education.
Yhome also addressed the state’s high dropout rates and the pressing need for reform, commending Nagaland’s leadership in early childhood education and its efforts to improve Hindi education despite limited resources.
Chief Secretary, J Alam, reiterated the government’s commitment to achieve the goals of NEP 2020, while Dr. Dusi Ramkrishna Rao, National President of Vidya Bharati, highlighted the policy’s importance for the region.
The program began with a welcome address by Pankaj Sinha, State Organizing Secretary of Janjati Shiksha Samiti, Nagaland, followed by a presidential address from Basant Agrawal, president of Purvottar Janjati Shiksha Samiti, North East. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Joram Aniya, Assistant Secretary of Vidya Bharati, North East.
The prestigious KC Gandhi Award 2024 was presented to Zakienei Khoubve for his outstanding contributions to promote Hindi education in Nagaland. Khoubve, born on June 1, 1964, founded the Kohima Hindi Teachers’ Union and played a key role in developing Hindi textbooks for classes 5 through 8. His dedication to advancing Hindi education has left an indelible mark on the state.
A book titled Father of the National Language, “Hindi,” in Nagaland was also released, honoring late Piyong Temjen Jamir. Known for his social, religious, and educational contributions, Jamir was instrumental in promoting the Hindi language and the Nagari script in Nagaland.
His legacy inspired minister Temjen Imna Along to speak in Hindi in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, a tribute to Jamir’s work, which earned him the Padma Shri in Literature and Education in 2018.