Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio addressing the State Level Teachers’ Day celebration in Kohima on September 5. (Morung Photo)
School holiday across Nagaland on September 6
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 5
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Nriphiu Rio today announced key initiatives to reform the education system in Nagaland. He was speaking at the State Level Teachers’ Day Celebration in Kohima on September 5.
Rio launched the Systems for Outstanding Achievements and Reformation (SOAR) Mission, a partnership programme aimed at bringing global standards into our curriculum, teaching, assessment, and school management.
SOAR is in connection with the Nagaland State Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage Education (NSCFSE), which is now ready. "We are entering a new phase of educational development. The SOAR Mission will be our vehicle for transformational change," Rio said.
He further informed that the state is in the process of institutionalizing the Nagaland State School Standards Authority (NSSSA), mandated under the National Education Policy 2020, which will serve as a regulatory authority to ensure quality benchmarks in schools.
To guide this effort, the Nagaland School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (NSQAAF) is currently being drafted, he said.
Another key initiative being explored is the introduction of music education at the elementary level, in convergence with the Department of TaFMA, he said
“Given Nagaland's exceptional musical talent, this will provide students exposure to a globally benchmarked acoustic curriculum and open new avenues for creative growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, in honour of the teachers, the department of school education has declared September 6 as a holiday for all government and private schools functioning within the state of Nagaland.
Pupil-teacher ratio of 13:1
He meanwhile informed that Nagaland has 2,734 schools, 32,801 teachers and 4,10,389 school-going children at present.
“When Nagaland attained statehood in 1963, our literacy rate was just 21.95%, among the lowest in the country. Today, I am proud to share that Nagaland has emerged as India's third most literate state at 95.7%, only behind Kerala and Mizoram, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023-24,” Rio.
This achievement reflects the tireless efforts of our teachers, educationists and policy-makers, he said.
The Chief Minister said that Nagaland also has a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) of 13:1, compared to the national average of 21:1. In government schools, the average is as low as 7:1 - one of the lowest in the country, he stated.
“This healthy teacher-student ratio is a strength we must leverage to create personalized learning environments, supported by modem teaching methodologies and skills,” the CM said.
He expressed happiness over the progress made by the School Leadership Academy of Nagaland (SLAN), established in 2023, which is spearheading in-service teacher training and leadership development.
Stating that it is now mandatory for school heads to undergo training, the CM encouraged all teachers and administrators to take these opportunities seriously. He also informed that National Council for School Leadership, New Delhi- a premier national institution has awarded School Leadership Academy of Nagaland the Certificate of Excellence for two consecutive years.
