Nagaland has taken a major step towards aligning itself with India’s ambitious Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047 vision by launching a two-day intensive workshop focused on educational reform, planning, and performance benchmarking. The workshop, which began on July 24 in Kohima, is being organised under the aegis of Samagra Shiksha Nagaland and brings together district officials and DIET (District Institute of Education and Training) functionaries from across the state. The programme is a follow-up to the outcomes of the 5th Chief Secretaries’ Conference and aims to strengthen foundational educational systems, improve performance indicators, and promote transparency in school governance. Discussions are centred around core components of India’s education transformation roadmap including the Human Capital pillar of Viksit Bharat, the Performance Grading Index (PGI), the National Achievement Survey (PARAKH), UDISE+, PM SHRI Schools, Vocational and Inclusive Education, data-driven governance through Vidya Samiksha Kendra, and community engagement platforms like Vidyanjali. Delivering the opening address, L. Jamithung Lotha, State Mission Director of Samagra Shiksha, underscored the importance of education as a driver for national development. “Education receives the highest salary allocation in the state—more than 26% of the total salary budget,” he said. “But unless our outcomes match our investment, we will fall short of building a truly developed state.”
Sharing recent data, Lotha revealed that Nagaland currently has 2,734 schools, with 1,915 under government management. The state’s teaching force stands at 32,801, while student enrolment is reported at 4,10,389. However, these numbers are overshadowed by deep performance gaps. In the recent HSLC examinations, government schools recorded a pass rate of only 48%, compared to 88% in private institutions. The disparity continues in HSSLC results across all major streams—arts, science, and commerce.He called for urgent reforms in data collection and accountability. “If your primary data is healthy, the whole system will be healthy,” Lotha asserted, encouraging district officials to ensure the accuracy of school-level data and to take ownership of their roles in shaping the future generation. Principal Director of School Education, Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, highlighted a troubling trend in digital accountability. He revealed that out of 49 district education offices in the state, 34 had recorded less than 50% attendance using the SMILE App—a digital tool meant to track teacher attendance—and 10 offices had almost no entries at all. “This reflects poorly on the reliability of our systems. We must ensure compliance to strengthen governance,” Singh said.
Singh also stressed strict monitoring of the PM POSHAN scheme, warning that any administrative neglect could deprive children of critical mid-day meals. “Let us ensure that no child is left behind due to oversight,” he urged.Commissioner and Secretary of School Education, Kevileno Angami, took a broader perspective, reminding participants of the larger national objective. “Human capital is a foundational pillar for both the state and the nation. Quality education is the core of this journey,” she said. Angami challenged the attendees to examine their contributions. “You have been placed in these roles for a reason. Are we fulfilling that responsibility—or are we failing our children?” she questioned.The workshop also featured expert presentations from education and technology officials. Kelhikha Kenye, Deputy Mission Director of Samagra Shiksha, and Benjung Yaden from SCERT shared implementation insights. Dr. Bijano Murry, Joint Mission Director, and James Kikon, IT Consultant for NIPUN PMU, introduced tools for assessing performance such as the PGI for Nagaland and digital assessment strategies for classrooms. Chairing the inaugural session was Dr. Kevizakie Rio, Joint Mission Director of Samagra Shiksha, who emphasised collaboration between field-level educators and policymakers. He stressed that building a strong and sustainable education system requires effort from every level of the government structure.
