NCPA conference focuses on NEP 2020 implementation challenges

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland College Principals’ Association (NCPA) held its annual conference on the theme ‘Higher education concerns in Nagaland: the way forward’ at Kohima College on November 4.

According to a press release, the conference was chaired and led by Dr. Fr. George Keduolhou Angami; the welcome address was given by Dr. Vitsosie Vupru, president of the NCPA and principal of Kohima College; and the exhortation was given by Dr. A Nshoga, director, department of Higher Education.

Nshoga, in his speech in the first session, addressed the problems and challenges faced by the principals in Nagaland, especially with the onslaught of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

He emphasised the challenges that the colleges would face in terms of manpower, syllabus, and financial assistance. He also listed some of the roles and challenges that principals face, such as faculty peer evaluations that will be conducted online to improve faculty performance tracing.

Stating that the parent-teacher-student relationship is important, he addressed the issue of parental involvement and said that all stakeholders’ support is required to take education to the highest level of excellence.

To have a wider impact, he mentioned the need to integrate cultural heritage with traditional values in education.

Delivering the keynote address, G T Thong, pro-vice chancellor of Nagaland University, said that good teachers, no matter what their circumstances are, are equipped to build a good and just society.

Some, though lacking higher degrees, are as excellent, he said; however, he noted that it is of utter importance and a responsibility that they acquire higher degrees so that the college can retain them.

“The NEP 2020 coverage is so vast that implementation is challenging, and there is a need to take up challenges such as these to create a dynamic and evolutionary educational system. Today, value-based education with added expertise is a prerequisite to survive in a highly competitive world,” he said.

He said that there is a need to collaborate to build a strong educational system—a requirement for society’s progress—but for this, an institution must have a strong administration, and equality and non-discrimination must be present. He added that bureaucracy is stifling the growth of many institutions.

The second session was led by Fr. Paul Punii, principal, Salesian College of Higher Education, Dimapur, and included the presidential address by Dr. Vitsosie Vupru, the general secretary’s report by Dr. Hewasa L Khing, principal, Tetso College, Dimapur, and the treasurer’s report by Dr. Lichumo Enie, principal, Unity College, Dimapur.

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