The two-day Education Conclave 2026 on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the Northeast concluded in Chümoukedima on Saturday, with participants proposing a series of measures for strengthening education in the region. A press conference was also held after the valedictory function.

The conclave, hosted by Nagaland, was held on the theme “Implementation of NEP 2020 – Vision, Challenges and Opportunities for North Eastern States.” It brought together stakeholders from the northeastern states to discuss challenges and strategies for implementing the policy.

Among the key proposals were establishing and strengthening skill hubs in existing colleges and universities, improving opportunities for higher education progression, and creating a North-East Knowledge System to promote indigenous knowledge and traditions.

The outcomes also called for strengthening State Public Universities, institutionalising an annual North-East Education Conclave or review meeting, and considering a dedicated financial package for NEP 2020 implementation in the region. The proposed financial support would address infrastructure, connectivity, digital facilities, laboratories, libraries, hostels, teacher training and skill development.

The school education discussions highlighted the need to move from programme implementation to verified learning outcomes, strengthen continuous teacher development, and adopt context-specific multilingual approaches suited to the linguistic, cultural and geographical diversity of the Northeast.

The discussions also identified difficult terrain, infrastructure gaps and unequal digital connectivity as continuing challenges to equitable education in the region. Participants called for greater inclusion, improved accessibility and a balanced approach to the use of technology in education.

The conclave concluded with a call for greater cooperation among states and stakeholders, with the proposed annual review mechanism expected to provide a platform to monitor progress and follow up on the resolutions.