A Heart-Rending Cry from the Abandoned amid Alarming Educated Unemployment

1. Some Good News first!

On 6th September, a report appeared in all the papers stating that Nagaland’s literacy rate is one of the highest among Indian states. “The state has emerged as India’s 3rd most literate at 95.77%, behind only Kerala and Mizoram, according to the Periodic Labour Survey 2023-24,” said the Chief Minister while addressing the State-Level Teachers’ Day Celebration at NBCC Convention Hall in Kohima. This is indeed a matter of great rejoicing.

2. The Sad Contrast- An Appeal

But when you put this side by side with the reports coming from the ground, one wonders where our state is heading. On 3rd September, there appeared an appeal in the Eastern Mirror: “Rural Schools in Crisis: A Citizens Appeal for Educational Reform”.

“As a concerned citizen, I feel compelled to highlight a crisis unfolding in our villages. In one village primary school, the situation mirrorswhat is happening across many rural areas.

A mathematics teacher’s post was withdrawn without replacement; only three teachers have been deputed to run six classes (Class A, B, and Class 1-4). In practice, half the classes remain unattended each period, leaving students without supervision or meaningful learning.”

Then it goes on to describe the agony of parents to send their children to the towns and the struggle to pay fees!

3. Another Appeal

Another letter in the Morung Express of 13th September: “A citizen’s Outcry : Nagaland’s  education System at Crossroads.” Among other things, the letter mentions the problem of dropouts from schools. “According to UDISE+ (2023-24) more than 25,000 students dropped out of school in Nagaland, citing poor quality of education as a contributing factor. Around 30% of schools reportedly lack essential facilities like laboratories and libraries.”

4. Recent Confirmations

Practically, daily appeals and ultimatums from student bodies are appearing, not for luxuries but for basic facilities and for teachers. The RMSA agitation is another indicator of the problems in the area of education. Among the most recent appeals here are two.  specific names have been left out).

In a representation submitted to the Principal Director of School Education, a students’ union raised concern over lack of benches and desks in various institutions particularly at GHSS. In one GHSS, during 2021-22, 34 benches and desks were allotted for high school students of a GHSS. After the school was upgraded to higher secondary status in 2022, no additional furniture had been provided for the higher secondary students. Regarding shortage of teachers, it expressed dismay over its earlier representations been overlooked. On August 26, 2025, it had served a seven-day ultimatum on the department to address the issue. No action has been taken. (Nagaland Post 4th September 2025)

Another student federation has launched its first phase of agitation after the lapse of its ultimatum served to the department of School Education. The federation has maintained that the rationalisation exercise carried out on August 22 had left several schools without subject teachers after many of them were transferred without relievers. (Eastern Mirror 12th September, 2025).

5. Programmes for Reform

The School department must be commended for the efforts it is making. Lots of programmes are being organised with very fascinating names like: Nagaland Education Project – LIGHT HOUSE: NECTAR (Nagaland Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resource), SMILE - (Smart Attendance Management & Informative Leaves), and SLAN- (School Leadership Academy of Nagaland). SLAN is to spearhead in-service teacher training and leadership development. The National Council for School Leadership, New Delhi has even awarded the Leadership Academy of Nagaland the Certificate of Excellence for two consecutive years. (Eastern Mirror, 6th September 2025). Similarly some years back, Nagaland was awarded for communitisation of Education.

6. Results on the Ground

But is any change visible on the ground? A report in the Morung Express on 25th July 2025 shows the following: SMILE was envisioned as a digital leap towards accountability in government school education. But the Smile dashboard revealed a distressing reality. Reports show mass absenteeism. In a span of five months from February 1 to June 30, 2025 a staggering 1, 525 teachers and employees never once marked their attendance. Only 132 schools and 5 establishments of 2002 achieved 80% or greater attendance. 1071 schools logged figures below 50%, while 27 schools failed to register a single entry.

Nectar conducted an orientation on ‘School Transformation Strategy. (Aug 5-6) The objective was to “revive government schools from a state of neglect to vibrant, community-driven institutions with modern infrastructure, improved teaching-learning practices and resource sharing. (Nagaland Post August 7, 2025). It is hoped that some good results will be seen.

7. Educated Unemployment

On top of all these is the alarming crisis of educated unemployment indicating that “a fundamental disconnect exists between what the educational system produces and the economy requires”, states an editorial in the Nagaland Post of 6th August 2025. Hence, the need for reforming the syllabus. Some work is going on in this regard.

The editorial refers to a “forward-thinking concept note from 1999 presented by the editor at the Naga Hoho conference outlining practical strategies for revitalising the educational framework.  These appear to be very sensible and practical proposals. They deserve serious consideration.

8. Most Urgent Need Now

But before all else let, the authorities ensure a teacher for every class room and basic facilities like leak-proof class rooms with sufficient benches, desks and functional toilets. It is indeed a sad commentary on the state of education in our state to see repeated pleas by student bodies for these basic facilities. They are not asking for luxuries or expensive gadgets. It is indeed like children crying for food. In this 21st century, how can we let our children in the villages suffer the indignity of growing up without the facilities for basic education? How many families can afford to send children to the towns and how many can ford to pay fees?

9. A Suggestion

It is said that corruption is widespread in our state. But here is a suggestion. It may sound foolish, but it has been accepted in some states and found successful. In this vital matter of the future of our children can we not agree and ensure that corruption will not be tolerated. Can’t the Hohos, village councils, VDBs and civil society groups unite to eliminate corruption in this area? Corruption in the educational system is (akin to) stealing from the helpless and leaving them wounded. When they grow up, will they forgive us for this criminal neglect?

Fr. M.P. Thomas SDB

Bosco College of Teacher Education.