FACES BEHIND NECTAR

Shri Iluheing Nsarangbe
Joint Secretary, NBSE;
Project Coordinator, NECTAR

This segment features NECTAR officials in different capacities to enable readers to learn more about the people and intent behind the various initiatives and interventions of the project, as well as the strides made so far.

In this issue, we engage with an official from the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).

1. How long have you been serving as a Project Coordinator for NECTAR, and what is your role?
   
   Ans. I’ve been associated with the NECTAR project since August 2022, and my role is to coordinate between the agencies and the departments, particularly the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
   
2. What are the areas in which NECTAR and NBSE are collaborating? How will this collaboration strengthen the school education system?
   
   Ans. The collaboration of NECTAR and NBSE is focusing on Examination Reforms. It is hoped that this will bring about change in the Assessment Practices, thereby creating a shift towards testing the conceptual clarity and competencies of the student.
   
3. An important step that is being undertaken is strengthening examinations. How is this intervention being implemented by the partnership between allied establishments of the Department of School Education?
   
   Ans. Though the different establishments (DoSE, NBSE, and SCERT) manage various levels of classes (pre-primary to grade 12), each establishment’s representation in the committees helps maintain a consistent and smooth transition between different class levels. This structure ensures continuity and collaboration across the different levels. A bottom-up approach has also been taken in implementing the new policy so as to ensure better results.
   
4. Would you say that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is entirely applicable in the context of Nagaland? How are NBSE and NECTAR collectively addressing the challenges?
   
   Ans. Implementation of NEP 2020 in its totality is challenging due to the state’s unique characteristics. The three-language policy (including two Indian languages), the multidisciplinary approach at secondary, and the required changes in pedagogical methods necessitate significant capacity building. The challenges in the implementation of NEP 2020 require strong Government education policy and will to address them affectively.
   The NECTAR project is crucial for the state as the country transitions to the new National Education Policy. This project is an added bonus to enable the state to establish a robust foundation for the NEP 2020.