Nagaland SLEC decides to implement NEP from 2025 academic year

The committee approved the implementation of the new 5+3+3+4 education structure outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, set to take effect in both government and private schools beginning in the 2025 academic year.

In approving the establishment of the Nagaland Education Service, the SLEC decided to form a committee to develop the necessary framework. Additionally, the SLEC mandated that private schools must secure prior approval from the Education Department before opening and that they must operate under the supervision of registered societies.

The SLEC also approved the upgrade of six government middle schools to government high schools in the Kohima, Dimapur, and Mon districts, as well as the elevation of a government primary school in Ikishe village to a middle school.

The meeting also approved the merger of middle classes from 16 GMS with 16 GHS, renaming the combined schools as GPS. Additionally, it sanctioned the amalgamation of 20 GPS and GMS schools into GMS and GHS, respectively.

The SLEC also authorized the closure of at least 17 GPS schools with zero enrollment, including nine in Peren district, two each in Wokha and Zunheboto districts, and one each in Chumoukedima, Phek, Mon, and Tuensang districts. Teachers from these closed schools will be redeployed to nearby schools.

The committee further approved the downgrade of 54 GMS to GPS due to either zero enrollment or having only one student in classes 6, 7, and 8. Zunheboto district has the highest number of such schools at 15, followed by Peren with 12, six in Kiphire, five in Wokha, four each in Mon and Phek, three in Chumoukedima, two each in Niuland and Tuensang, and one each in Dimapur and Kohima districts. Graduate teachers from these schools will be reassigned to other institutions.

The downgrade of 13 GHS to GMS was also approved due to zero enrollment in classes 9 and 10, with four in Kiphire and Zunheboto districts, and one each in Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Peren, and Phek districts.

However, the SLC stated that these schools would be reviewed for possible future upgrades if student enrollment improves, and excess teachers would be redeployed to schools facing teacher shortages.

The SLEC also approved the proposal for conversion of vacancies of various categories of posts under the establishment of Directorate of School Education into other categories on need basis for which a committee would be constituted to study and take up the matter with the Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Finance Departments for further action.

It has also decided to set up the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) and formulate the Nagaland State Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF).

(with inputs from PTI)