North East Shiksha Samvaad at Tetseo College highlights future-ready education, skills, and collective growth in Northeast India.
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DIMAPUR — North East Shiksha Samvaad, a regional dialogue aimed at bringing system leaders together to reimagine education for a future-ready generation, was held at Tetseo College in Chümoukedima on Friday.
The event on the theme “Reimagining education in Northeast for a future ready generation”, focused on improving one million public schools in India, was sponsored by HDFC Bank Parivartan and supported by Mantra4Change and Elevate Foundation.
Dr. Darlando Thanmi Khathing, vice chancellor of North East Christian University (NECU), in his keynote address on the topic “Why future readiness cannot wait; the Northeast imperative,” urged the audience to stop waiting and start acting, questioning if they are waiting for better infrastructure, industries, funding or luxuries.
"Can we live without them?" he asked, weighing the need to break free from dependency and build a legacy now.
He pointed out the irony that despite lacking physical infrastructure, the region has access to powerful online and digital communication tools that can bridge gaps.
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"We don't need to wait for perfect conditions to move forward," he said, citing examples of thriving entrepreneurs in Dimapur from eateries to handicrafts, jewellery and innovative textiles.
The Northeast is rich in potential and it is time to leverage these strengths, he urged.
According to Khathing, the Northeast is witnessing growing opportunities, with local produce such as turmeric, king chilli, avocado and dragon fruit being exported, alongside the rise of homestays and eco-resorts.
Traditional medicine and innovations such as hybrid solar-powered vehicles are also gaining attention.
He stated that the focus should be on recognising and seizing existing opportunities rather than waiting for new ones. "The question is how open are we to grab them?" he said, asserting that the region is in a position to act and leverage its strengths.
He emphasised that while individual entrepreneurship is important, greater impact lies in sharing expertise and building community resources.
He noted that Nagaland’s community-based approach is a strength and collective efforts can drive development further.
Fragmented farming limits growth
Khatting highlighted that Nagaland has missed key economic opportunities due to a lack of collective effort. Despite strong market demand—such as Japanese interest in bamboo shoots, orders for sweet pineapples, and Middle Eastern demand for Meghalaya turmeric—the state has struggled to supply at scale. He attributed this gap to fragmented smallholder farming, where individual farmers cannot meet large orders.
He stressed that cooperation is essential. By forming cooperatives or collective societies, farmers can pool resources, improve production capacity, and tap into larger markets. “We can act now—no need to wait,” he said.
Khatting also called for a major shift in the education system to better address real-world challenges like artificial intelligence, climate change, and evolving job markets. He emphasized the need to move away from “front-loading” knowledge toward fostering lifelong learning.
He questioned whether society is prepared for rapid changes, stressing that education must evolve rather than rely on quick fixes. He noted that some schools are beginning to focus more on skills and values, including emotional intelligence, empathy, and creative problem-solving.
Highlighting the importance of teaching children how to think rather than what to think, he said curiosity and inquiry are key to building adaptable mindsets, preparing youth to face future challenges with confidence.
Associate Professor at Nagaland University, Dr Mary N Odyuo said that future-ready learning should go beyond textbooks and exams.
Speaking on “What does future-ready learning look like in Indian classrooms?”, she noted that education often drives migration from hill regions as it does not connect with local opportunities, preparing youth to seek better opportunities elsewhere instead of building their own communities.
For her, future-ready learning should focus on critical thinking, adaptability and solving real-life problems, prepare them not only for the global opportunities but also to face their local realities.
Odyuo credited the National Education Policy 2020 for bringing positive changes, making education more flexible with a focus on skill development and real-world learning.
Key highlights, according to her include multiple exit-entry systems, vocational courses, multidisciplinary learning, and blended learning modes.
She stressed that institutions should guide students, expose them to opportunities and strengthen mentorship and guidance.
Building real-world connections and continuously assessing efforts to prepare students for life is significant, she conveyed as every student deserves access to opportunities, clarity and confidence.