A one-day consultative workshop on the revised Nagaland School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (NSQAAF) and State School Standards Authority (SSSA), funded by Samagra Shiksha, was organised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Nagaland in collaboration with key stakeholders and education partners was held at SIEMAT Hall, SCERT, Kohima on 25th July 2025.
Director, SCERT, Keviraleü Kerhuo, in her keynote address, welcomed both returning and newly nominated participants to the workshop. She acknowledged the presence of representatives from the Department of School Education (DoSE), Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), State Council of Teacher Education (SCTE), Samagra Shiksha, NECTAR, All Nagaland Private School Association (ANPSA), All Nagaland School Teacher Association (ANSTA), the Diocese, DIETs, SCERT, and members from the Task Force, and expressed appreciation for their contributions.
Kerhuo stated that the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is ongoing across the country with the aim of making schools nurturing spaces for students to grow not only academically but also emotionally, socially, and morally thereby preparing them for the 21st century.
Kerhuo further informed that, to support this vision, the Ministry of Education has introduced the SARTHAQ (Students’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement Through Quality Education) implementation plan. She said the plan was developed through wide consultations with states, union territories, and education bodies, and incorporates over 7,000 suggestions.
Highlighting the key features of SARTHAQ, Kerhuo noted that Task No. 215 focuses on the development of SQAAF. She said the framework aims to support both government and private schools, from pre-primary to higher secondary, in assessing and improving their quality through clear and consistent standards.
She clarified that SQAAF is not a controlling mechanism but a supportive tool that encourages schools to pursue excellence. She said it promotes transparency, accountability, and integrity by motivating institutions to openly share their progress and performance.
Speaking about the state’s role, Keviraleü Kerhuo said that in Nagaland, SQAAF will serve as a transformative tool to redefine school quality and excellence. She added that SCERT will lead the development of the framework, particularly in relation to academic standards and curriculum, in close consultation with all stakeholders, as outlined in NEP 2020 Paragraph 8.4.
Keviraleü Kerhuo also mentioned that the workshop provides an important platform for joint collaboration and engagement. She expressed confidence that the insights and experiences shared by participants would help make the framework contextually relevant and practical for Nagaland.
Concluding her address, Keviraleü Kerhuo urged all stakeholders to actively contribute to the development of the framework. She said, “Together, let us ensure that every child in Nagaland receives quality education that prepares them for a better future.”
The programme was chaired by Joint Director, SCERT & Convenor NSQAAF, Moalong Imti, and the brief background of the NSQAAF was delivered by Vice Principal, DIET, Kenilo Semp.
(Kazuhito T Kibami, IA)
