Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Government of Nagaland, Temjen Imna Along, on June 8 visited Mokokchung College of Teacher Education (MCTE) after inaugurating the newly constructed Rs 1.80-crore Academic Classroom Block at Fazl Ali College under RUSA 2.0. The Minister was accompanied by officials of the Higher Education Department, engineers, the principals of Fazl Ali College and Mangkolemba Model College, contractors, SDOs, JEs and other stakeholders.
The visit primarily focused on reviewing the ongoing construction of MCTE’s new Academic Building and assessing the future developmental requirements of the institution. During the inspection, the Minister reviewed the progress of the Academic Building project, which was sanctioned during the 2020-21 financial year and is now nearing completion. Expressing the need for timely completion of the project, he directed the contractor to complete the remaining works. The contractor assured the Minister that the building would be completed within a month.
Established in 2014, MCTE is situated on a five acre campus and is one of the two government run teacher education institutions in Nagaland.
Welcoming the Minister and accompanying officials, Principal Dr T Alemla Longkumer recalled the Minister’s earlier visit to the college shortly after assuming office. She said the institution was then facing numerous challenges and lacked several essential facilities.
According to her, the visit marked the beginning of significant developmental interventions that have transformed the institution over the years. She acknowledged the support extended by the Minister and the Department of Higher Education, stating that the college has since made considerable progress and is no longer lagging behind comparable institutions.
Highlighting the institution’s growing academic reputation, Dr Longkumer informed that the college has begun attracting students from outside Nagaland, including Meghalaya, while inquiries have also been received from neighbouring states for future admissions.
She attributed the institution’s progress to its conducive academic environment, dedicated faculty and staff, and sustained support from the department.
The Principal, however, pointed out that the most pressing challenge before the institution is the requirement to transition into a multidisciplinary institution by 2030 in accordance with National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms for standalone teacher education institutions. She informed that MCTE has proposed the introduction of the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in collaboration with Fazl Ali College, whose NAAC A-grade accreditation has enabled the proposal to be taken forward. The application has been submitted to the NCTE and, if approved, the programme is expected to commence from the 2027 academic session. However, she noted that the collaboration arrangement would not remain valid beyond 2030, leaving the institution with only four years to work towards transitioning into a multidisciplinary institution.
Dr Longkumer further proposed the introduction of two new academic programmes at the institution. The concept notes of the proposed programmes were submitted to the Minister, Additional Secretary, Higher Education, and Additional Director, Higher Education, who were present on the occasion. She stated that such initiatives could address the aspirations and interests of Naga youth while expanding educational opportunities.
She also advocated for introducing vocational education components alongside teacher education programmes. Referring to the increasing emphasis on vocationalisation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, she observed that Nagaland presently has limited vocational education offerings and would require qualified vocational teachers in the coming years.
She proposed a model whereby students could graduate with a teaching degree along with vocational diplomas or advanced diplomas, to help enhance their employability and reducing the need for additional appointments in vocational subjects.
The Principal also raised concerns regarding the furnishing of the new Academic Building. She pointed out that since the project is being implemented under the State Plan, no provision exists for furniture and other furnishings. While a proposal had already been submitted to the department, she requested phased financial assistance to enable the institution to gradually equip the building for academic use.
Another major issue highlighted by the college was the lack of residential facilities for faculty members. Dr Longkumer informed that more than 50 per cent of the faculty are posted from outside Mokokchung district and that the institution presently has only one staff quarter occupied by the Vice Principal.
She stressed the need for faculty quarters and student hostels, stating that the college envisions developing into a residential institution in the future. Such facilities, she said, would greatly benefit both teacher education and prospective multidisciplinary programmes.
The college also expressed appreciation to the Minister for facilitating several key developmental initiatives since assuming office, including the expansion of the campus through acquisition of additional land, sanctioning of the new Academic Building, strengthening faculty positions and enabling MCTE to become a beneficiary institution under the PM-USHA Gender Inclusion and Equity Initiative.
Responding to the concerns raised, Along directed the engineering team to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the entire campus and stated that similar master plans should eventually be developed for all colleges across the state.
He emphasized that infrastructure development should be guided by long-term planning rather than piecemeal construction. The Minister noted that while immediate implementation of every proposal may not be possible, a clear roadmap for future growth must be established.
During the interaction, discussions were also held regarding the PM-USHA component earmarked for MCTE, under which the institution is set to receive a 40-bedded girls’ hostel. When informed that the college presently lacks hostel facilities, the Principal highlighted the difficulties faced by students from distant districts and outside the state, many of whom have to depend on rented accommodation due to the absence of adequate hostel infrastructure. She stated that existing private accommodations and paying guest facilities are insufficient to meet student demand.
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The Minister acknowledged the need for hostel facilities and informed that the proposal was under consideration through the PM-USHA framework. He also remarked on the visible improvements in the campus environment since his previous visit and appreciated the institution’s progress under its present leadership.
Observing that five acres is relatively small for a teacher education institution, Along suggested exploring possibilities for acquiring additional land in the future, subject to the state’s financial capacity. It was noted that teacher education institutions ideally require facilities such as playgrounds and indoor sports infrastructure, which are difficult to accommodate within the present campus area.
The Minister commended the leadership of Dr Longkumer, describing her as a visionary administrator who consistently thinks beyond conventional approaches and actively pursues developmental opportunities for the institution. He further emphasized the critical role of principals as institutional leaders whose vision, advocacy and encouragement contribute significantly to the growth and success of higher education institutions.
Speaking on the broader vision for higher education in Nagaland, Along said the state must work towards creating institutions capable of attracting students from across the country. He stated that higher education should contribute not only to value-based learning but also to the educational economy of the state, while reducing the need for students to leave Nagaland in search of quality education.
He stressed that improving academic standards, infrastructure, imparting quality education and knowledge would be essential to achieving this objective.
As part of the visit, the Minister inspected the new Academic Building and offered suggestions for future infrastructure development.
During the interaction, the Minister assured the institution of his efforts towards its development and encouraged engineers and departmental officials to contribute ideas and suggestions for the planned growth of the college. He also called upon faculty members, particularly doctorate holders and researchers, to actively utilise their expertise in imparting knowledge not only to students but also to society at large.
Emphasising the important role of educators in building an informed society, he said that academicians have the potential to make significant contributions beyond the classroom through research, knowledge sharing and community engagement.
