Nagaland rolls out DSSL PLC to drive education reform

The State government on Tuesday launched the District School and System Leaders Professional Learning Community (DSSL PLC), with advisor for School Education & SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, underscoring the urgent need to reform and restore trust in the State’s public school system.
Addressing the gathering at de Oriental Grand here, Yhome said Nagaland’s school education sector had spent nearly Rs.10,000 crore over the past five years, including State and central funds. While reaffirming the government’s commitment to free education, he questioned whether the system was effectively delivering quality learning and shaping students’ character.
He said school education accounts for about 8.3% to 8.5% of the State budget, but despite adequate teacher strength, systemic inefficiencies and past planning gaps had led to resource wastage, leaving the sector in a “mess.”
Yhome said the initiative aligns with efforts to rebuild public schools, noting that many households still prefer private institutions due to lack of confidence in government schools. He expressed hope that such initiatives would help restore trust and revive the legacy of public institutions.
He said the State’s vision is anchored on school leadership, infrastructure and pedagogy, supported by administrative reforms. While infrastructure upgrades may take time, reforms in curriculum, teaching methods and governance are already underway.
On restructuring, Yhome said teaching and administrative roles would be bifurcated, with trained personnel handling governance. He added that the School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF) would be piloted through a baseline study of 249 schools, alongside Mission SOAR.
He stressed continuous teacher training under SLDP, noting that though around 600 teachers are produced annually, many lack classroom exposure, necessitating certification and grading systems.
Highlighting leadership concerns, he said school heads lacked dignity under current designations and proposed uniform recognition as “principals.” He also flagged an ageing workforce, absence of ITEP institutions, and seniority-based promotions affecting efficiency.
Yhome called for personalised leadership, better institutional coordination, and MoUs between schools for improved student tracking, while cautioning that literacy gains must now translate into quality education.
Deputy director SCERT, Benjung Yaden, highlighted the progress of the School Leadership Development Programme (SLDP), noting that hundreds of educators have already undergone training. She said the programme focuses on strengthening leadership to improve learning outcomes through structured training, research, and documentation of best practices.
Secretary School Education, Mhathung Tungoe, underscored the importance of Professional Learning Communities in fostering collaboration, shared expertise, and continuous improvement among educators. He said the DSSL PLC would build a strong network of educational leaders to drive systemic change.
Principal Director School Education, Shashank Pratap Singh, said nearly 385 leaders have been trained so far, stressing that school leadership must combine autonomy with accountability. He also highlighted the implementation of the ULLAS scheme, with surveys completed in seven districts.
Regarding SLDP, Singh emphasized that training should not be based on compulsion but should focus on translating learning into action, adding that SLDP should not become a delaying mechanism, he stated.
Assistant Professor, NCSL, NIEPA, Dr. Yogesh Pahariya, described Nagaland as a leading state in NEP implementation, noting that institutionalising PLCs would significantly enhance learning outcomes.
The programme was chaired by Program Manager, P3, NECTAR, Aishwarya. In the technical session, Dr. Yogesh Pahariya spoke on School Leadership: National Context and Support to the States and Founder & International Director, Adhyayan Quality Education Services Ltd, Spoket Wheeler, spoke about the Importance of Professional Learning Community.