Dignitaries from the Northeast during the press conference held at JP Park & Banquets, Nagaland United Village, Chümoukedima on September 19. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | September 19
The Northeast Education Conclave 2026 on Saturday adopted key resolutions, including a proposal for a dedicated Prime Minister's Special Financial Package for the northeastern states, to strengthen implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the region.
The resolutions were read out by Sarita Yadav, Secretary of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Nagaland.
“A proposal may be considered for a dedicated Prime Minister's Special Financial Package for the North-Eastern States to support the effective implementation of NEP 2020,” the resolution said.
The package could address the region's “distinctive geographical, infrastructural and socioeconomic requirements,” including connectivity, digital infrastructure, laboratories, libraries, hostels, teacher training and skill-development facilities, it said.
“A targeted funding mechanism would help institutions overcome implementation constraints and ensure that the objectives of NEP 2020 are translated into meaningful educational opportunities across urban, rural, remote and border areas of the North East,” it added.
On skill development, the conclave resolved that “skill hubs should be established and strengthened within existing colleges and universities” to give students access to industry-relevant, vocational and emerging skill-based courses.
The hubs could offer training in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, tourism, healthcare, agriculture, handicrafts and other sectors relevant to the regional economy, it said.
“Dedicated grants should be provided for infrastructure, equipment, laboratories, trainers and digital resources,” the resolution said, adding that the approach would reduce “the need for students to migrate outside the region for specialised training.”
On academic progression, it said colleges “should be encouraged to introduce more Postgraduate (PG) programmes,” including one-year PG courses where academically and regulatorily appropriate.
Such programmes “can help retain talented students within the region, strengthen postgraduate education and create pathways towards research, teaching and professional careers,” it said.
The conclave also backed a “strong proposal to establish a North-East Knowledge System based on the rich indigenous heritage of the region,” in line with the Indian Knowledge System recommendations of the NEP.
Institutions under the system could focus on indigenous agriculture, ecological practices, traditional medicine, cuisines, crafts, architecture, languages, oral traditions, performing arts and community-based knowledge, it said.
The system could also facilitate collaboration among universities, colleges, research institutions, indigenous communities and government agencies on knowledge documentation, curriculum development, research and innovation.
The resolutions further said the “establishment and strengthening of State Public Universities in the North-Eastern States should be encouraged to expand access to quality higher education.”
These universities could serve as centres of excellence in multidisciplinary education, research, innovation, skill development and indigenous knowledge. “Adequate financial and infrastructural support should be provided” to enable them to emerge as strong regional hubs, it said.
Another resolution called for institutionalising an Annual North-East Education Conclave or Review Meeting “as a platform for collaboration, experience-sharing and systematic follow-up on the implementation of NEP 2020.”
The annual meeting could bring together state governments, universities, higher education institutions, policymakers, experts and industry representatives to review progress and share successful practices, it said.
“Each conclave should conclude with clearly defined action points, responsibilities and timelines, followed by periodic monitoring of progress,” it said.
The two-day conclave, held on September 18 and 19 at JP Park & Banquets, Nagaland United Village, Chümoukedima, was organised by the Government of Nagaland in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Education. It was held on the theme “Implementation of NEP 2020: Vision, Challenges & Opportunities for the North Eastern States.”
After the valedictory function, dignitaries from the Northeast also held a press conference, where they informed that the resolutions would undergo further review before being sent to the Ministry of Education, Government of India, soon for consideration and further action.
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