Participants during the workshop on the practical use of Artificial Intelligence held at the NBSE office on August 11.
Kohima, August 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), in collaboration with Mission SOAR Nagaland, conducted a one-day workshop on the practical use of Artificial Intelligence for 44 officers and ministerial staff at the NBSE office on August 11, aiming to enhance productivity and streamline repetitive administrative tasks.
The workshop, led by resource persons from Shikha Academy, Mumbai, began with a thought-provoking question: if every day suddenly had 25 hours, what would one do with the extra hour?, stated an update received here. For most participants attending their first AI training, the question resonated deeply, as every branch of the Board loses considerable time each week to repetitive work such as drafting formal letters, checking documents against checklists, and rephrasing official replies.
Delivering the opening remarks, Rangumbuing Nsarangbe, NCS, Secretary and Chairperson, NBSE, encouraged officers to make the best use of the opportunity to learn, explore, and harness the benefits of AI to improve efficiency and productivity in their work.
The sessions progressed from fundamentals, what AI is, what it is not, and common misconceptions, to practical applications of generative AI in day-to-day responsibilities, including planning, data analysis, feedback, brainstorming, and automation. Participants mapped these capabilities to their own tasks and practised writing effective prompts on real assignments, from summarising policy documents to drafting public notices.
In the final session, they learned to build simple AI assistants, tools designed to handle recurring tasks consistently without fresh instructions each time. The day concluded with a discussion on the safe and responsible use of AI and the possibility of future, more targeted sessions.
Participants expressed appreciation for the hands-on approach. Rüchünino Ziephrü, Assistant Academic Officer, NBSE, said, “We were already using AI, but this workshop showed us how to use it properly. Learning to write sharper prompts, and even using AI to help build those prompts, will make a real difference to the quality of answers we get. The session on AI assistants was equally practical; every branch loses time to repetitive work, and we left with real ideas to cut that down and free up time for what matters.”
Kekhrievilie Nakhro, Cashier, NBSE, added, “This was my first AI workshop, and it was motivational. I came in with only a basic understanding of AI, but the discussions and hands-on sessions gave me a much clearer picture of how it can be applied. I feel far more confident about using AI in my work going forward.”
The workshop also emphasised responsible use, with participants considering the importance of using AI thoughtfully and recognising its limitations in professional work. Discussions highlighted the need for continued learning as AI tools evolve, with participants expressing interest in further sessions tailored to the specific needs of different Board branches.
This workshop marks an early step in exploring how AI can serve as a practical support tool within education administration, not as a replacement for professional judgement, but as a technology to help officers and staff work more efficiently and focus on higher-value responsibilities.
Mission SOAR is a state-wide initiative to transform public education in Nagaland into an agile, inclusive, and high-performing system. Rooted in Naga culture while aligned with national priorities and global aspirations, it aims to empower every child to achieve grade-level competency, 21st-century skills, and a strong sense of identity through innovative teaching, capacity-building, and systemic reform.
