The State Education Committee (SLEC) of Nagaland has announced its decision to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in government and private schools from the academic year 2025. The recent SLEC meeting , led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also oversees the School Education and SCERT departments, has reached several key decisions, according to the School Education Department report released on Friday.

Among the key resolutions, the committee approved the adoption of the 5+3+3+4 education structure of the NEP, intended to reshape the state’s education system from 2025. Besides the implementation of the NEP , SLEC stressed the need for private schools to obtain approval from the Ministry of Education and must be operated by registered companies.

The SLEC also took steps to improve infrastructure by approving the conversion of six government middle schools into high schools in Kohima, Dimapur and Mon districts. In addition, he authorized the transformation of a public primary school in Ikishe village into a middle school.

For greater efficiency, the committee approved the merger of 16 middle and high school classes and authorized the integration of 20 primary and secondary schools. To cope with schools with declining enrollment, 17 primary schools with no students, including nine in Peren district, are expected to close and teachers will be reassigned to neighboring schools.

In addition, SLEC approved the downgrading of 54 middle schools to primary schools and 13 high schools to middle schools, with redeployment of teachers if necessary. The closures and downgrades, affecting schools in districts such as Zunheboto, Peren and Kiphire, are aimed at consolidating resources and addressing low enrollment rates. The committee, however, indicated potential improvements in the future if student numbers increase.

Furthermore, the SLEC gave the nod to the establishment of the Nagaland Education Service to develop a structured framework for the improvement of education and approved plans to establish a State School Standards Authority (SSSA) as well as the Nagaland State Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF).

The formation of committees to address staffing needs, including conversion of vacant positions for essential positions, is also underway with the support of the Departments of Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Finance.

(With PTI inputs)