Dimapur: A two-day high-level review of PM SHRI schools in Nagaland has raised concerns over declining enrolment, weak transition rates and subpar academic performance in select institutions, prompting directions for corrective measures and a diagnostic assessment.
Dinesh Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and Central Nodal Officer (CNO) for PM SHRI Schools in Nagaland, visited the state on February 20 and 21 to review the implementation of the Centre’s flagship school transformation initiative. The PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme seeks to develop model institutions in alignment with the vision of the Government of India under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
During the visit, Kumar inspected PM SHRI GHSS Chumoukedima, PM SHRI GHS Naharbari, PM SHRI GHS Thahekhu, and PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Project Sewak, Dimapur. He was accompanied by the Additional Deputy Commissioner and the District Education Officer (DEO) of Dimapur, along with officials from Samagra Shiksha.
Interacting with students and teachers, Kumar underscored the Prime Minister’s vision of nurturing model schools that deliver holistic and quality education in keeping with NEP 2020. While encouraging students to strive for excellence and contribute to nation-building, he also acknowledged infrastructural gaps in certain institutions. These include the need for additional classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, auditoriums and adequate sanitation facilities. He assured stakeholders that these concerns would be reflected in his report to the Centre for necessary support.
A coordination meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Dimapur on February 20, attended by district administration officials, the DEO, the Principal of DIET Dimapur, Sub-Divisional Education Officers (SDEOs), EBRC officials, heads of PM SHRI schools, and representatives of Samagra Shiksha Nagaland.
At the review meeting, the DEO presented a status report on the implementation of the six pillars of the PM SHRI scheme — Curriculum, Pedagogy and 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 poor transition rates, particularly from Class IX to Class X in some PM SHRI schools. He also flagged the low pass percentage recorded at PM SHRI GHS Burma Camp, Dimapur. State authorities have been directed to undertake a special visit to the school to conduct a diagnostic study, identify the causes of underperformance and formulate a targeted action plan to improve academic outcomes.
The review called for school-specific action plans to bridge identified gaps and ensure that each PM SHRI institution develops into a centre of excellence delivering quality education in accordance with the objectives of the scheme.
The visit concluded with an inspection of PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Project Sewak, Dimapur. Kumar later briefed Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, in Kohima on February 21 on the findings of the review and the proposed follow-up measures.