Arunachal Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, has underscored the critical importance of improving foundational literacy and numeracy as a means to ensure every child in the state has access to quality education, paving the way for a brighter future. Speaking at the inaugural session of the first regional NeVolution Education Workshop held in Itanagar on December 3, Mein highlighted the state’s commitment to transforming its educational landscape through modernization and innovation.
The workshop, part of the Aspirational Block Programme, was themed ‘Regional Workshop on Improving Education KPIs in Aspirational Districts & Blocks’. Mein emphasized the need for collective efforts and collaboration to address the educational challenges facing the state. “With the collective efforts and insights from this workshop, we can achieve transformative progress in our learning outcomes,” Mein stated. He reiterated that improving education is a top priority for the state government and expressed confidence that the workshop would contribute to enhancing learning outcomes, addressing critical challenges, and providing better opportunities for students.
Mein pointed out that the state government has taken significant steps to improve the education sector in Arunachal Pradesh, ensuring that education is prioritized as a key area of development. To this end, the government has already made considerable investments in the sector. “Arunachal Pradesh has received substantial support from the Centre, with Rs 150 crore allocated for the construction of 30 government secondary and higher secondary schools across the state,” he said. Additionally, the state has earmarked another Rs 150 crore to complete the Golden Jubilee Schools by 2024-25, and nearly Rs 600 crore has been approved for various educational interventions under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
In his address, Mein also sought the support of NITI Aayog to further upgrade the state’s educational infrastructure. He emphasized that the infrastructure upgrades, especially in areas that were once part of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), would be crucial in improving the overall educational scenario in Arunachal Pradesh. “Upgrading the infrastructure in these areas will have a tremendous impact on enhancing the education system in our state,” Mein added.
Speaking at the event, NITI Aayog member, Dr. Arvind Virmani emphasized on the transformative power of digital connectivity in revolutionizing education, particularly in remote and underserved regions like Arunachal Pradesh. He advocated for the integration of job-oriented skill training into the educational curriculum to reduce dropout rates and better equip students with the practical skills needed for employability.
Virmani further highlighted the potential of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools, to serve as “force multipliers” in the teaching and learning process. According to him, AI could significantly enhance the quality of education, helping educators and students achieve better outcomes.
The workshop provided a platform for various stakeholders to collaborate on improving key performance indicators (KPIs) in education, with a focus on aspirational districts and blocks. These districts face unique challenges, including high dropout rates, insufficient infrastructure, and a lack of trained teachers. The discussions highlighted the need to address these issues comprehensively, with particular attention to improving infrastructure, enhancing teacher training, and reducing dropout rates.
The deputy chief minister stressed that Arunachal Pradesh’s educational system must evolve to meet the demands of modern learning environments, which increasingly rely on technology. He also called for increased investment in the state’s education sector, noting that the support from the central government, coupled with innovative local solutions, will help pave the way for an education system that offers equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their location.
The NeVolution Education Workshop serves as a key step in the state’s broader efforts to improve its educational outcomes. Through collaboration between government officials, educators, and experts, the workshop aims to provide actionable insights and solutions to address the challenges faced by schools in Arunachal Pradesh. With an emphasis on digital education, skill development, and infrastructure upgrades, the state is positioning itself to create a robust educational framework that can propel students towards success in the 21st century.
As Arunachal Pradesh continues to focus on improving education for all its children, the leadership remains committed to ensuring that foundational literacy and numeracy form the bedrock of the state’s educational reforms, with a view towards creating a more equitable, prosperous future.
