The NECTAR project under the Department of School Education conducted a one-day Training and Orientation on Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) for the contractors of all the sixteen (16) Lighthouse School Complexes (LSCs) that will be set up in sixteen districts of Nagaland. The event was held on February 26 at Japfü Hotel, Kohima.

J. Alam, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland & Chairman, Project Steering Committee, NECTAR, delivered the keynote address and described the project as a watershed for Nagaland. He stated that the stakes are high given the status of school education in Nagaland and the expectations from the project.

Alam asserted that the various pioneering initiatives of the World Bank-supported project will serve as a model not only for Nagaland but for the rest of the country. He also mentioned that the contractors were selected on their merit, and the project is being implemented with transparency. He therefore urged them to uphold the project’s standards in implementing the construction works. Alam encouraged the Project Site Engineers to be efficient in supervision and usage of resources. He further stated that rather than falling behind, Nagaland should set positive examples. To this end, he motivated the contractors to ensure that the construction works are completed expediently with high quality so that it will be talked about even in the future.

Avelu Ruho, NCS, Joint Secretary, DSE & Deputy Project Director, NECTAR, introduced the scope of the NECTAR project to the contractors and their team during the welcome address. She mentioned that the concept of LSCs was envisioned during the tenure of former Principal Secretary, School Education, Menukhol John, to address the challenges faced by Government schools in Nagaland. The concept of LSCs as hub schools with modern facilities and enhanced teaching-learning practices catering to neighbouring spoke schools would elevate the state of government schools. She further stated that the setting up of LSCs is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and encouraged the construction firms to render their best services in the interest of our children’s future.

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Razouseyi Vese, Director, DoSE & Assistant Project Director, NECTAR, stated in the opening note that the concept of a hub school with students from surrounding villages existed in the past. Such schools functioned with the active support from villagers and produced many technocrats, educators, and eminent personalities. He impressed upon the audience that there is a need to revive the past glory of Government schools through the Lighthouse School Complexes.

To achieve this goal, he appealed the contractors not to compromise on the quality of works, as it will be for the benefit of our children and our society. He also extended full support to the construction firms and urged them to ensure that the desired works are executed on time.

Experts from the Project Management Unit conducted sessions on “Social Standards and Safeguards” and “Environmental Standards and Safeguards” highlighting the importance of adhering to the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) for minimising the negative impact of the project and maximising benefits for the community and the environment.