Dimapur, Sep 19: The Northeastern states have proposed a dedicated Prime Minister’s Special Financial Package to support implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the region, saying targeted funding would help institutions overcome implementation constraints and translate the policy’s objectives into meaningful educational opportunities.
The proposal was among a set of recommendations adopted at the two-day Northeast Education Conclave 2026, hosted by Nagaland on the theme “Implementation of NEP 2020: Vision, Challenges & Opportunities for the North Eastern States”, which concluded at Naga United Village, Chümoukedima district, on Saturday, officials said.
The participating states also proposed establishing a North East Knowledge System based on the region’s rich indigenous heritage to promote its traditional knowledge systems in keeping with the Indian Knowledge System component of NEP 2020.
The states called for institutionalising an annual Northeast Education Conclave as a platform for collaboration, experience-sharing and systematic follow-up on NEP 2020 implementation. Such a conclave could bring together representatives of state governments, universities, higher education institutions, policymakers, experts, industry and other stakeholders to review progress, identify emerging challenges and share successful practices, officials said.
The recommendations are proposed to be submitted to the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for effective implementation of NEP 2020 in the Northeast.
On school education, the states resolved to strengthen monitoring systems to verify classroom implementation and student learning while reducing repetitive compliance-based reporting. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) monitoring should also identify and support children who progress to higher grades without acquiring foundational competencies.
The states proposed developing context-specific multilingual strategies with planned language transitions and strengthening the use of the local environment, indigenous knowledge and community resources in curriculum, teaching-learning materials and experiential learning.
On vocational education, the conclave called for stronger linkages among ITIs, polytechnics, higher education institutions, industry, certification, internships, employment and entrepreneurship. It also called for locally relevant skill and livelihood-oriented programme design.
The states advocated a balanced approach to educational technology by mapping access gaps, promoting responsible digital use and ensuring that technology strengthens rather than substitutes meaningful pedagogy and teacher-student interaction.
In higher education, the recommendations called for infrastructure upgrades, including the establishment of skill hubs in parent institutions, and greater opportunities for vertical mobility within higher education institutions in the Northeast in line with the flexible and multidisciplinary framework of NEP 2020.
The conclave also identified gaps in NEP 2020 relating to technical education and proposed measures to address them for successful implementation of the policy in letter and spirit.
On infrastructure and connectivity, the states resolved to revamp physical and digital connectivity across the Northeast through wider stakeholder partnerships involving state departments such as Power and PWD, along with network service providers.
The proposed coordination was aimed at addressing gaps in power supply, accessibility, transportation and digital connectivity that affect education delivery in the region.
The states further proposed the formation of an Implementation Committee to cater to various initiatives related to NEP 2020 and the establishment of a Forum of Education Ministers of Northeastern states to take forward issues concerning the functioning of technical departments.
The conclave also resolved that similar education conclaves should be organised periodically across the northeastern states to sustain coordination and follow-up on the implementation of NEP 2020. (PTI)
