80% schools, 33% of enrolment: Why Northeast wants hill-specific NEP norms

The Northeast wishes for a customized approach when implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as the region's geography, school distribution, and infrastructure issues are not encompassed by the current rules. During the Northeast Education Conclave 2026 held in Chumoukedima, Nagaland, education ministers and officials from the eight northeastern states advocated for more coordination and unique norms for hilly areas.

Mizoram Education Minister Dr Vanlalthlana highlighted that many provisions under NEP 2020 and the Right to Education (RTE) Act are tailored for plain areas, calling for a distinct index and system for hilly regions, along with specific construction norms. Nagaland's school network showcases the challenge, with government schools making up 80% of the total but only 33% of enrolment, indicating the difficulty in maintaining and planning schools in a region with dispersed settlements and terrain.

The conclave aimed to bring together the experiences and challenges of the states to discuss potential solutions for implementing NEP 2020. Beyond infrastructure, the discussion emphasized the importance of language, culture, and skills. Participants proposed a separate system or index for hilly areas, construction norms tailored to hill regions, and greater coordination among the eight states.

The overall goal is to make the implementation of the national policy adaptable to local conditions.