DIMAPUR — The ‘Nagaland Education Project-The Lighthouse–Nagaland Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources (NECTAR),’ an initiative of the government of Nagaland in collaboration with the World Bank, is said to have made significant improvements in infrastructure, teaching methods and overall educational environment in schools across Zunheboto district.
A recent inspection led by L Chinglem Konyak, EAC (HQ) Zunheboto, provided key insights into the project’s impact on local schools, including GMS New Colony, GPS Lizu Naghuto, GMS North Point, GMS Old Town, GPS Asukho A, GMS Kulhopu, GPS Nikuto, GMS Ghukiye and GPS Newland, a press release stated.
The NECTAR Project, which began in 2020, was designed to address critical gaps in school infrastructure and quality education delivery. Under this project, the government allocated significant funds for the renovation of school buildings, improvement of teaching and learning materials, and purchase of office essentials. According to reports from teachers, the financial support provided by the project has enabled schools to maintain and enhance their facilities, fostering a better learning environment for students.
Improvement in school infra
Before the implementation of NECTAR Project, each school used to receive around INR 7,500 to INR 7,800 annually for office maintenance, which was a difficult task. However, since the project’s introduction, these funds have been more effectively utilised to renovate school infrastructure. Teachers reported that this has led to visible improvements in classrooms, sanitation facilities, and overall school environment, making the schools more conducive to quality education.
The project also emphasises the active participation of the community, including church leaders, GBs village councils, Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs), and other stakeholders.
This community-based approach has played a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, minimising corruption, and maximising the impact of the funds allocated for school development, it stated.
As highlighted by the EAC during the inspection, the involvement of all community members in the NECTAR Project has created an environment ‘where the chances of corruption are virtually eliminated.’
Challenges in student enrolment
One of the major challenges that schools face, especially in the villages, is low student enrolment. The report indicated that many parents give preference for private schooling and are reluctant to send their children to government-run institutions.
The EAC acknowledged that the status of many families, particularly in rural areas, contributes significantly to the low enrolment in schools. To address this issue, he called on the local communities to encourage parents to send their children to school, emphasising that the government may take over underperforming schools if enrolment does not improve.
Govt. schools vs. private institutions
While government schools have made notable progress, Konyak pointed out that the overall enrolment in government schools remains low in comparison to private schools, particularly at the matriculation level. He also noted that while government-run institutions provide high-quality education due to the expertise and experience of the teachers, challenges still exist in terms of poor results at the matriculation level.
He suggested that this could be due to the lack of proper guidance and mentorship for students at critical stages in their academic careers. He stressed the need for continued investment in teacher training and the improvement of teaching methodologies to ensure that students receive a well-rounded and quality education.