Kohima, March 16 (MExN): Mission SOAR Nagaland conducted a week-long orientation for its Lab Schools from March 9 to 13, aimed at preparing school leaders and teachers to implement the mission’s objectives and initiatives.
According to a press release from NagaEd, the orientation brought together school leaders and teachers to build a shared understanding of the mission and equip them with the mindset, tools and support required to advance its goals.
The release stated that the programme sought to lay the foundation for school transformation by encouraging collaboration among educators and helping institutions adopt new practices in teaching and school management.
A one-day orientation for Mission SOAR Lab School teachers was held on March 10 at De Oriental Grand Hotel. The sessions included discussions on Mission SOAR, the interventions portal, school-level reflections, a values workshop, brainstorming on potential challenges and action planning.
“These sessions gave educators the opportunity to not only understand the framework of the mission, but to locate themselves within it — as active participants in a shared journey of transformation,” the release stated.
During the week, coaches from mission partner Shikha Institute were embedded in the schools to work with teachers and school leaders on implementing innovative pedagogy and school practices. The release noted that this approach allowed ideas discussed during the orientation to be tested in classrooms and school settings while addressing challenges in real time.
Speaking about the orientation, Kevisato Sanyu, Founder of NagaEd and Director of Elevate Foundation, said, “Mission SOAR is grounded in the belief that every school can become a place of excellence when it is supported with vision, trust, and the right tools. This orientation was about preparing our Lab Schools not just to participate in change, but to lead it with courage, clarity, and commitment.”
Aluou Shuya, Vice Principal of Government Higher Secondary School Jotsoma, said, “This orientation gave me clarity on how to go about with the mission soar interventions. It also reinforced our ability to work collaboratively and share responsibility in order to bring about the desired outcome. This mission is also a reminder of the kind of impact that we teachers can have on a student’s life.”
Anguno Khate, Social Science teacher at Sovima Government High School, said the week-long programme helped teachers understand the interventions and their implementation.
“The one-week orientation on school interventions was intense yet enriching. Our coaches guided us through the purpose and implementation of the various interventions, helping us gain a clearer understanding of how they can strengthen teaching practices and enhance student engagement. The sessions also encouraged reflection on our current practices and highlighted the importance of thoughtful and consistent implementation,” Khate said.
Karishma Shanghvi, Director of Shikha Institute, said the week focused on supporting schools as they begin the implementation process.
“Our effort during the week was to walk alongside schools as they began this journey. By working directly with teachers and leaders, we wanted to help create strong foundations for the kind of learning environments Mission SOAR envisions, high-quality, academically rigorous, and deeply responsive to children’s needs,” she said.
The release stated that the Lab Schools are expected to demonstrate the mission’s approach by adopting innovative teaching practices and fostering a culture of learning that could influence the wider education system in Nagaland.
Mission SOAR is a state-wide initiative aimed at transforming public education in Nagaland into an agile, inclusive and high-performing system. The initiative seeks to improve grade-level competency, promote 21st-century skills and strengthen students’ sense of identity through innovative teaching practices, capacity-building and systemic reform, the release added.
