Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launches nine Lighthouse School Complexes across Nagaland

Published on Jun 4, 2025

DIMAPUR — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday virtually laid the foundation stones and launched nine Lighthouse School Complexes (LSCs) across the state during an official programme at CMRC, Kohima.
According to a DIPR update, Rio expressed happiness at witnessing the progress of LSCs under the Nagaland Education Project – The Lighthouse (NECTAR) and highlighted the critical role education plays in shaping the future of Nagaland's youth.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio during the virtual launch of nine Lighthouse School Complexes on Wednesday.

He commended the Department of School Education and the NECTAR project team for their innovative approach to reforming the state's education system.
The chief minister also acknowledged the Ministry of Education and other funding partners for their continued support and collaboration.
He emphasised the importance of primary schools, which lay the foundation of education for students, and expressed optimism that students from Nagaland, helped by the new initiatives, would be able to compete with their peers both within and beyond the state.
Shashank Pratap Singh, Principal Director of School Education, provided a detailed overview of the various activities and projects being undertaken as part of NECTAR. This included the SMILE App and initiatives aimed at strengthening the professional development of employees within the education department.
The nine LSCs that were virtually inaugurated were GHSS Medziphema Town, GHSS Phek Town, GHS Sitimi Town, GHSS Satakha, GHS Chessore, GHS Noklak Village, Bautung GHSS Longleng, NI Jamir GHSS, and GHSS Dimapur.
It may be noted that Rio had earlier laid the foundation stones for seven other LSCs on December 1, 2024.

The LSCs are envisioned as model schools equipped with modern facilities to serve as hubs of academic excellence, supporting neighbouring "spoke" schools.
The NECTAR project aims to establish one LSC in each of Nagaland's sixteen districts. These complexes will foster inclusive and holistic learning environments, promote strong community engagement, and encourage constant innovation, drawing on local knowledge.
The LSCs will also prioritise economic and ecological sustainability and promote an evidence-based education system. Reaching Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) and providing adequate resources for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) are key priorities.
Furthermore, the LSCs will integrate the National Education Policy's (NEP) recommendations on school management and teaching-learning practices. Currently, foundational work is underway for all sixteen LSCs, with the NECTAR Engineering Team closely monitoring progress.
Construction is being carried out in strict adherence to the World Bank's environmental and social standards to mitigate potential adverse impacts and promote sustainable development. The total estimated cost for the construction of all sixteen LSCs is INR 198.57 crore.