Nagaland to implement NEP by academic year 2025

The Nagaland State Level Education Committee (SLEC) has announced plans to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in both government and private schools across the state, from the next academic year. This decision was taken at a recent SLEC meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also Minister of School Education and Chairman of the SLEC, as outlined in a statement from the School Education Department.

What is included?

Major updates include the approval of the NEP’s new 5+3+3+4 school structure from the 2025 academic year. In addition, the SLEC has approved several restructuring measures for government schools, including upgrades and downgrades based on student enrollment, and a mandatory requirement for private schools to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Education for establishment. All private schools will also have to operate under registered associations.

The committee approved the upgrade of six government secondary schools (GMS) to government secondary schools (GHS) in Kohima, Dimapur and Mon districts, as well as the promotion of a primary school in Ikishe village to secondary school status. Sixteen middle school classes will be merged with high schools, while twenty primary and secondary schools will be combined to form GMS and GHS institutions. In addition, the SLEC approved the closure of 17 government primary schools without student enrollment, with affected teachers being transferred to nearby schools.

Response to minimum registrations

In response to minimal enrollments, the SLEC decided to downgrade 54 GMS to GPS in districts such as Zunheboto, Peren and Kiphire, with graduate teachers being transferred to other schools. Thirteen high schools with no enrollments in grades 9 and 10 will be downgraded to high schools, pending a future review based on student admissions.

The committee also approved the reclassification of vacant positions in the Directorate of School Education to other essential positions. A committee will be established to coordinate with relevant departments for the redistribution of these posts.

Furthermore, the SLEC approved the establishment of the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) and the development of the Nagaland State Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF) to ensure the quality of school education across the state.