Higher Education & Tribal Affairs minister Temjen Imna Along and others during coordination meeting in Kohima on March 22.
Kohima, March 22 (MExN): A coordination meeting between the Directorate of Higher Education, Nagaland and principals of theological colleges in Nagaland took place in Kohima on March 22 under the initiative of PDA government and Higher Education & Tribal Affairs Minister, Temjen Imna Along.
Addressing the meeting, Along stressed on the need to place proper structure and holistic education system in the theological colleges of the state. The Minister called upon theological fraternity to have proper mechanism and strategy to build a strong society and also, to equip well to meet the growing challenges in this competitive world. He also propounded on National Education Policy 2020 and expressed his concern on the challenges.
As suggested by the Minister, the meeting formed a five member Core Committee with two from higher education department and three from theological fraternity to facilitate proper coordination between the two and to take care of the standard of theological colleges in the state.
Presently, there are 44 theological colleges in Nagaland. On Grant–in-Aid being extended to the theological colleges in the state, Along assured that the government will see that the theological institutions get the rightful amount of grant.
Also as suggested by theological fraternity for introduction of the department of religious studies in the Nagaland University, higher education director Dr. Apeni Lotha said that the department will take up the matter with the concerned authority.
Expressing concern over the mushrooming theological colleges in the state, the theological fraternity requested the government to intervene and scrutinize the factor properly and give NOC accordingly. On National Education Policy 2020, a copy which was circulated at the meeting by the department, a representative of theological college requested the department arrange a workshop for the theological colleges so as to enable them to get well acquainted with the policy.
Thanking the theological fraternity for sharing their thoughts and positive inputs at the meeting, Dr Apeni said “Let us continue to strive hard and extend contribution to the society.”
Earlier, Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) President Dr Rushulo Seb in letter addressed to minister Along sought a legitimate and stronger relationship between the state government and the Nagaland theological fraternity. The meeting ended with distribution of Grant-in- Aid package to the theological colleges.
