Shillong, Dec 10: A workshop on the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 orientation and sensitisation for college principals and vice principals in the North East region got underway at the North Eastern Hill University today.
The programme is jointly organised by the Department of Training and Professional Development in Education, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi and NEHU’s Department of Sociology.
The three-day programme will feature twelve technical sessions focusing on NEP in the North East and its implementation processes.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui who inaugurated the workshop in his speech reflected on the transformative changes introduced by the NEP. He noted the continuing challenges of terrain and accessibility in Meghalaya and highlighted government efforts over the past seven and a half years to extend educational access to rural areas.
Rymbui observed that while established colleges face structural difficulties, many have attempted to implement the NEP. He discussed the challenges posed by CUET, the Academic Bank of Credit, policy inconsistencies, gaps concerning primary education, and the difficulties in implementing the four-year undergraduate programme due to the lack of a clear framework.
He stressed the need for policy clarity, youth empowerment, contextual understanding and feedback from colleges.
NEHU Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Sherwin May Sungoh outlined the aims and framework of NEP 2020, the process of implementation and its relevance in the North East.
She highlighted NEP’s shift toward flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, and academic-focused leadership and also discussed the Academic Bank of Credit, outcome based learning, research, technology, faculty strengthening and the need for action plans suited to the region’s context.
Programme Director Neeru Snehi gave an overview of NIEPA, established in 1962, and highlighted its academic programmes. She emphasised that the workshop aims to promote constructive dialogue and strengthen colleges as innovative educational spaces.
School of Social Science Dean Prof. CA Mawlong noted resource constraints and encouraged innovative strategies, including programmes for younger faculty members.
Principals and Vice-Principals from several institutions in the North East attended the session, including St. Mary’s College (Meghalaya), Khrawsing College (Meghalaya), Maharaja Bodhchandra College (Manipur), Mt. Zion College and others.
