Highlighting a “gradual deterioration” in the quality of education despite the appointment of highly qualified teachers in all government schools, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio called for the support of all stakeholders in the sector. Despite boasting a literacy rate of nearly 80%, Naga youths are encountering challenges in securing jobs due to the absence of skill-based education, he noted. Rio made these remarks during an event at a school in Meriema, situated on the outskirts of Kohima, which has recently been elevated to a high school.
“In government schools, we have highly qualified teachers, yet we’ve observed a decline in educational standards. This is a collective failure,” asserted the chief minister. He urged officials from the school education department and all other stakeholders to collaborate in enhancing the education sector in the state.
“We must unite and restore government schools to the esteemed positions they held in the past,” Rio emphasized. Furthermore, he mentioned that the education department is working on rationalizing teacher distribution in government schools. As part of this initiative, surplus teachers from certain schools will be relocated to schools with fewer teachers, while those with zero enrolment will be closed. Rio solicited support from village councils and leaders in this endeavor.
Originally established as a Mission School in the late 1920s, the recently upgraded Government High School Meriema has garnered recognition as the best-maintained school in the Northern Angami-II area. The chief minister commended the Meriema Village Council for their involvement in constructing additional classrooms for the school.
Rio stressed the importance of community support at present, emphasizing that such collaboration is crucial. He expressed optimism that the inauguration of the new school building heralds a new era for government schools and the overall future of education in the state.
