Advisor Yhome highlights challenges of NEP-2020 implementation in Nagaland

KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 9: Nagaland Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome highlighted the multifaceted challenges the State faces in the education sector, including implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Speaking at the Purvottar Janjati Shiksha Samiti organized Academic Assembly on the theme “Challenges to the Implementation of NEP-2020”, at Capital Convention Centre here today, Yhome lauded the efforts of educators in tribal and disadvantaged areas.

He however noted that the challenges in implementing NEP-2020 in the State are significant but not insurmountable.Nagaland has 1939 schools, with a mixture of public-private partnerships. We have 722 private schools, and just recently, we provisionally recognized 69 more. This includes both society-run institutions and privately owned schools, he said.

Despite the diversity of educational providers, he said that many of the State’s schools are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural and remote regions with fewer educational options.

“We are making efforts to reduce the number of underperforming schools”, the Advisor revealed, noting that 107 schools had been closed recently, with the Government exploring amalgamation and downgrading of schools to improve quality.

Turning to the global context, the Advisor spoke about India’s aspirations to compete on a global stage in education. With NEP-2020, India has introduced an ambitious and innovative action plan to elevate its education system, he remarked.

He also underscored the importance of India positioning itself as a leader in education, particularly for developing countries. “We hope that one day, students from countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Latin America will come to India to study. India has a robust education system and our teachers are well-trained”, he added.

Dwelling on the dropout rates and introducing Early Childhood Education, the Advisor said despite challenges, Nagaland has also made strides in addressing high dropout rates, which remain the highest in the country.

“This is an unfortunate reality, but we are taking steps to counter this, including being the first State to introduce Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programmes”, he said.

In this, Yhome emphasized the importance of tackling education gaps early.

On the challenges of promoting Hindi language education in the State, he said, “Our official language is English, and we are a multilingual society, so introducing Hindi as a second language poses unique challenges.”

However, the Department is gradually mapping schools that offer Hindi and are looking for partnerships to improve this aspect of education, he said, adding that the Department is also working on bridging the gap by offering a bridge course to enhance the qualifications of the Hindi teachers in the State.

The Nagaland Government is planning to set up a new institute focused on regional importance, with an emphasis on Hindi education, the Advisor said while inviting stakeholders to collaborate in this initiative, which aims to boost Hindi education and support higher learning in the language.

He also reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing quality education to every child in Nagaland.

“Our common agenda is to ensure that every child, whether from an urban centre or a remote village, has access to quality education. Our hearts are with our children, and we work every day for their future”, Yhome said while stressing for collective action to face the challenges ahead and a shared commitment to the future of Nagaland’s children.

(Page News Service)