Implementation of the National Education Policy 2020
REGIONAL: The Education Conclave 2026 got underway Friday at JP Park & Banquets, Naga United Village, Chumoukedima, bringing together policymakers, educators and administrators from across northeast India to deliberate on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The theme of two-day conclave, "Implementation of NEP 2020: Vision, Challenges and Opportunities for the North Eastern States," reflects the shared concerns of states in the region as they work toward translating the policy into ground-level action.
Temjen Imna Along, Minister for Higher Education, Nagaland, said the conclave presents an opportunity to resonate and amplify the National Education Policy across the state.
He expressed gratitude to delegates who travelled from various districts to attend, noting that the gathering reflected a shared commitment to converge on a common agenda around what he described as a transformative policy.
The inaugural session was chaired by Sarita Yadav, Secretary of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Nagaland. Yadav outlined the challenges facing higher education institutions in implementing NEP 2020, particularly across the North East. She also stated that Nagaland's higher education infrastructure was flagged as under-resourced, requiring expansion of institutional capacity through new colleges and universities alongside upgrades to existing ones.
Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, has called for contextual and inclusive educational transformation in the Northeast in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Delivering the keynote address, he highlighted the NEP’s key priorities: accessibility, equity, quality, flexibility, multilingualism and holistic development encompassing knowledge, skills, and values. He stressed the need to transform indigenous knowledge into academic strength and upgrade skills through technological proficiency.
The session also featured speeches by special invitees including Kishor Barman, Minister of Higher Education, Tripura, Mutchu Mithi, MLA cum Advisor to HME, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Dr Ranoj Pegu, Minister for Higher Education School Education, Tribal & IT.
The conclave is expected to result in a collaborative framework among North Eastern states for sharing best practices, exchanging institutional resources and mentoring implementing institutions through capacity-building initiatives developed in consultation with stakeholders.