Nagaland organized a day-long planning workshop in Kohima on July 22. The workshop aimed to align district-level developmental plans with national goals, focusing on education, employment, and human resource development.
Officials from all 16 districts participated, including deputy commissioners, district education officers, and administrative staff. The event was hosted by the Department of School Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and NITI Aayog.
Nagaland’s Chief Secretary J. Alam inaugurated the workshop and emphasized the importance of education-driven planning. He said, “We cannot develop without strengthening our human capital. Districts must prioritize school infrastructure, skill development, and teacher support to meet Viksit Bharat targets.”
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Education at the Core of Long-Term Development
The workshop placed a strong emphasis on transforming education as the foundation for achieving long-term economic and social progress. Discussions revolved around how district planning could directly improve literacy rates, digital access, and quality learning across remote regions.
To support this, the School Education Department presented a roadmap built around four key pillars: foundational literacy and numeracy, inclusive education, teacher training, and digital access. Officials reviewed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a guiding document in shaping district plans.
Each district team was tasked with identifying gaps in existing infrastructure and proposing solutions that could be implemented in both the short and long term. These solutions ranged from improving teacher attendance in remote schools to setting up smart classrooms in blocks that lacked digital facilities.
District-Level Insights and Strategy Sharing
During the interactive sessions, district officials shared on-ground challenges and practical approaches. The representative from Mon district highlighted the need for improved hostel facilities for students from remote villages. Meanwhile, Peren’s team proposed mobile learning vans to reach children in border hamlets.
The Department of School Education encouraged officials to adopt a “cluster-based approach” where neighboring villages share common educational resources. This method not only reduces costs but also improves efficiency in areas with difficult terrain and low population density.
Chief Secretary J. Alam reiterated that district administrations should take ownership of planning instead of relying entirely on state-level directives. “Districts know their people better than anyone else. Their input will shape a realistic and effective roadmap for Nagaland’s future,” he noted.
Central and State Government Alignment
Officials from the Ministry of Education and NITI Aayog joined the sessions virtually. They praised Nagaland’s proactive stance and pledged full support in the form of data analytics, funding for key projects, and technical expertise.
The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, launched nationally to encourage citizen-centric governance, was also discussed. Officials were urged to ensure that district plans reflect the aspirations collected during public consultations held under the yatra.
Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, said, “Viksit Bharat is not only about roads and industries. It’s about nurturing minds. States like Nagaland play a vital role in showing how inclusive education can fuel national growth.”
The state’s Education Commissioner, Kevileno Angami, called for collaborative planning across departments like Women and Child Development, Health, and Labour. She stressed that a child’s development depends on coordinated action across multiple sectors.
Vision 2047 Through Local Action
The workshop concluded with a planning session where each district presented a brief outline of their education-centric goals for 2047. These include goals such as achieving 100% school enrolment, reducing dropout rates by 90%, and establishing at least one model higher secondary school in every block.
Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto shared a plan to integrate skill development courses into secondary schools. Wokha district officials committed to installing solar-powered digital classrooms in 30 rural schools by 2026.
Nagaland’s School Education Department will compile all district submissions into a state-wide “Education Vision Document” to be submitted to the Centre by the end of August. This will also be integrated with broader sectoral goals including health, infrastructure, and economic development.
Community Participation to Drive Change
A major takeaway from the event was the role of the community in achieving Viksit Bharat goals. Officials agreed that success depends not just on policy but on active involvement from teachers, parents, local bodies, and students themselves.
To encourage this, districts plan to hold regular school monitoring visits, conduct feedback sessions with students, and partner with NGOs for awareness campaigns. Several officials also recommended youth clubs in villages to promote digital learning and reading culture among children.
Nagaland’s approach, as highlighted in the workshop, prioritizes local empowerment while aligning with national goals. The state’s focus on inclusive education offers a strong foundation for sustainable development across all sectors.
As the nation moves steadily toward its 2047 goals, Nagaland’s efforts show that real transformation begins at the grassroots—with every district, every village, and every school.
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