Dimapur, February 22 (MExN): Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Nagaland Cadre officer and currently Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defense, Government of India, and Central Nodal Officer (CNO) for PM SHRI Schools in Nagaland, visited the state on February 20 and 21 to assess the status of PM SHRI Schools.
During his two-day visit, Kumar, accompanied by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, District Education Officer Dimapur, and officials from Samagra Shiksha, visited PM SHRI GHSS Chumoukedima, PM SHRI GHS Naharbari, PM SHRI GHS Thahekhu, and PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya Project Sewak, Dimapur.
Kumar interacted with students and teachers, sharing the vision of the Prime Minister in line with the New Education Policy 2020 to develop model schools across the country. He encouraged students to work hard, succeed in life, and contribute to nation-building. While engaging with school communities, he also highlighted the need for strengthening infrastructure, including adequate classrooms, fully equipped laboratories, school auditoriums, and sufficient toilet facilities, assuring that these issues would be flagged in his report to the Government of India for support.
On February 20, a coordination meeting was convened at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Dimapur, with the District Education Officer, Principal DIET Dimapur, SDEOs, EBRC officials, Principals and Headmasters of PM SHRI Schools, and officials from Samagra Shiksha Nagaland. During the meeting, the District Education Office presented a status report on the implementation of the six pillars under the PM SHRI Scheme — Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment; Access and Infrastructure; Human Resource and School Leadership; Inclusive Practices and Gender Equity; Management, Monitoring and Governance; and Beneficiary Satisfaction.
Kumar expressed concern over declining student enrolment and low transition rates, particularly from Class 9 to 10 in some PM SHRI Schools. Noting the very low pass percentage at GHS Burma Camp Dimapur, state officials were tasked to conduct a diagnostic study to identify causes and prepare an action plan for improvement. Education Department officers were instructed to prepare school-wise action points to enhance the schools’ facilities and academic performance, aiming to make them centers of excellence providing quality education as per PM SHRI objectives.
The visit concluded with a review at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya Project Sewak, Dimapur. Kumar also apprised the State Chief Secretary, Sentiyanger Imchen, about the outcomes of his two-day visit and the recommendations for improving PM SHRI Schools in the state.
