Nagaland launches Student Health Card

KOHIMA — Nagaland celebrated Teachers’ Day on Thursday with a state-level event honouring educators and launching a new Student Health Card initiative.

Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Advisor for School Education and SCERT, addressed the gathering at the NBCC Convention Hall, lauding teachers for their dedication.

Emphasising the importance of quality education, he lauded the state’s early childhood education programme, developed by SCERT, calling it the first of its kind in India. He urged a return to the basics of education, particularly in underperforming schools. He also noted that Nagaland has a sufficient number of well-trained teachers making significant strides in early childhood education and resourcefully implementing innovative teaching methods.

He also informed that a total of 16 “lighthouse schools” are being constructed across the state. The schools are funded by the World Bank and are expected to be completed within two years.

Stating that the Student Health Card is an example of progress made under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, he said that the School Education and Health & Family Welfare departments have signed an agreement to implement the programme.

Yhome also congratulated Lephizo Apon, Graduate Teacher at Government Higher Secondary School, Dimapur who is among the 50 teachers who received the National Teachers Award this year.

Asano Sekhose, Chairperson of the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), addressed the gathering, calling teachers “leaders and guardians of the future” while acknowledging the profound impact teachers have on countless lives.

Highlighting the 50th year of NBSE’s existence, she expressed gratitude to teachers for their dedicated service in implementing reforms, policies, and initiatives in the education system.

She also called on teachers to embrace a more holistic approach to education, as envisioned in the National Education Policy, 2020, focusing on the intellectual, emotional, and social well-being of children. She stressed that society has become more complex and demanding, requiring proactive efforts from teachers to meet the needs of students.

Sekhose underscored the importance of lifelong learning in today’s world, emphasising that education is not merely about passing exams but preparing students for life. She said that teachers must enforce Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) principles to ensure children grasp basic concepts with clarity and stressed the importance of Competency-Based Teaching and Assessment.