Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio virtually laid the foundation stones and officially inaugurated nine new Lighthouse School Complexes (LSCs) under the flagship Nagaland Education Project – The Lighthouse (NECTAR) during a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex in Kohima. This significant event marks an important milestone in the state’s efforts to enhance and modernize its educational infrastructure.

Dr. Rio praised the progress made through the NECTAR initiative, highlighting the transformative impact on school education across Nagaland. He emphasized the critical role of education in empowering the youth and shaping the future of the state. The Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction with the strides taken to strengthen school education, focusing on improved teaching practices, enhanced learning environments, and better school management.

He specifically commended the Department of School Education and the NECTAR team for their dedication to reshaping classroom experiences and teacher training programs, which are central to the initiative’s success. Dr. Rio also expressed gratitude towards the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and various funding partners for their continued support and collaboration, which have been instrumental in driving the project forward.

Dr. Rio underscored the foundational importance of primary education and explained that the newly launched LSCs would empower students to compete effectively at both national and global levels. These complexes are designed to provide an advanced educational environment that fosters academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity.

Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, Principal Director of the Directorate of School Education, provided an overview of key initiatives under NECTAR, including the SMILE App and ongoing capacity-building and training programs for education personnel, which aim to improve teaching quality and administrative efficiency.

The nine newly launched LSCs are strategically located across various districts in Nagaland: GHSS Medziphema Town (Chumoukedima district), GHSS Phek Town (Phek district), GHS Sitimi Town (Kiphire district), GHSS Satakha (Zunheboto district), GHS Chessore (Shamator district), GHS Noklak Village (Noklak district), Bautung GHSS Longleng (Longleng district), N.I. Jamir GHSS (Mokokchung district), and GHSS Dimapur (Dimapur district). These new centers complement seven other LSCs whose foundation stones were laid by Dr. Rio on December 1, 2024, in locations including Angjangyang (Mon), Kigwema (Kohima), Niuland, Peren, Tseminyu, Tuensang, and Wokha.

Lighthouse School Complexes are envisioned as model institutions equipped with advanced infrastructure to serve as academic hubs supporting surrounding schools. Their design promotes holistic, inclusive, and sustainable education by integrating local knowledge, community participation, and innovative practices.

Under NECTAR, each of Nagaland’s 16 districts is planned to have one LSC, ensuring equitable distribution of educational resources. Special attention is given to socio-economically disadvantaged groups (SEDGs) and children with special needs (CWSN), aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) recommendations on pedagogical approaches and governance models.

To ensure quality and compliance, the NECTAR Engineering Team closely monitors all construction activities, adhering to the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards. The total estimated cost for constructing all 16 LSCs across the state is Rs 198.57 crore.

In summary, the launch of these nine new Lighthouse School Complexes under NECTAR represents a major step forward in Nagaland’s educational development, promising improved academic infrastructure, inclusive education, and enhanced opportunities for students throughout the state. This initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to providing quality education and empowering future generations.