Northeast Education Conclave Calls for PM Package to Implement NEP 2020

Northeastern states have sought a dedicated Prime Minister’s Special Financial Package for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, arguing that the region’s terrain, connectivity gaps and diverse social and linguistic landscape require a tailored approach.

The demand was among key recommendations adopted at the two-day Northeast Education Conclave 2026, hosted by Nagaland in Chümoukedima district. The recommendations are proposed to be submitted to the Ministry of Education.

The states said education policies and infrastructure norms should take into account the region’s hilly terrain and scattered settlements. Mizoram Education Minister Vanlalthlana called for hill-specific education and construction norms, noting that standard provisions may not adequately address the practical difficulties of building and operating educational institutions in mountainous areas. The states also highlighted the need to improve school infrastructure, power supply, transport and digital connectivity, which directly affect access to education across remote areas.

The conclave proposed creating a North East Knowledge System to preserve and incorporate the region’s indigenous knowledge, traditions and heritage into education. The initiative is aligned with NEP 2020’s Indian Knowledge System component and would encourage greater use of local languages, community resources and the region’s environment in teaching and learning.

For coordinated implementation across the eight Northeastern states, the conclave proposed a Forum of Education Ministers and an Implementation Committee. The mechanism is intended to facilitate regular consultation, identify common challenges and develop region-wide solutions. The states also called for an annual Northeast education conclave, stronger monitoring of foundational learning, context-specific multilingual strategies and closer links between vocational institutions and industry.

They advocated the responsible use of educational technology to bridge access gaps without replacing classroom interaction between teachers and students. The proposed financial package is intended to help address these region-specific constraints and enable the Northeast to implement NEP 2020 in a manner suited to its geographical and educational realities.