The Directorate of School Education, Nagaland, on Thursday felicitated meritorious government school students who excelled in the HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2026 and honoured 22 Government schools that achieved a 100 per cent pass percentage, during the Nagaland Government School Students’ Meritorious Award (NGSSMA) 2026 programme held in Kohima.
Advisor for School Education & SCERT, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, said Government schools have shown significant improvement and are now at par with private schools.
Congratulating the awardees, he said that they had emerged as the best performers among their batch and had made everyone proud. He encouraged them to remain humble in all that they did and wished them greater achievements in the years ahead.
Dr Yhome also highlighted the Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme, which is exclusively for students from Government schools. He informed that students securing 75 per cent and above were eligible to apply for the scholarship, which provides support up to graduation. He urged eligible students not to miss the opportunity and stated that the department would identify students who had secured 75 per cent and above.
He further remarked that although Nagaland was the 16th state to be formed in India, it had today become the third most literate state in the country. He said that the state possessed immense human resource potential and noted that girls had been outperforming boys in recent years. He also acknowledged the achievements of the 22 government schools that recorded a 100 per cent pass percentage in the HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2026.
In his address, Principal Director, School Education, Shashank Pratap Singh, IAS, said that the gathering was to celebrate academic excellence, perseverance, dedication, and the remarkable achievements of students who had brought pride to their schools, families, and communities. He stated that the occasion was not merely about recognizing academic excellence but also about appreciating the hard work, discipline, determination, and resilience demonstrated by the students.
He said that the Government of Nagaland remained committed to strengthening the education system through improved educational infrastructure, enhanced teacher capacity-building programmes, and student support initiatives to ensure that every learner had access to quality education and opportunities for excellence. He encouraged the students to continue striving for greater heights and reminded them that true success lay in using their knowledge, skills, and values for the betterment of society.
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A congratulatory message was delivered by Commissioner & Secretary, School Education & SCERT, Kevileno Angami, who congratulated all students who had successfully passed the board examinations in 2026. She said that their achievements were the result of determination and perseverance and also congratulated school heads, teachers, and all stakeholders who had contributed to their success.
Awards were presented to the top-performing government school students in the HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2026.
In the HSLC 2026, Top 3 Government School Students category, Sreeniti Mahapatra of GHS Yachem secured first position, followed by Visezono Vakha of Rüzhükhrie GHSS, Kohima and Shilunungtet of Subong GHS, Mongsenyimti.
In the HSSLC (Arts) category, Pooja Bharti of PM Shri GHSS, Chümoukedima, secured first position, followed by Khekavi Yepthomi of GHSS, Purana Bazar and Rhonthunglo Lotha of GHSS, Wokha.
In the HSSLC (Commerce) category, Keneisienuo Seyie of Rüzhükhrie GHSS, Kohima secured the first position, followed by Vimethanyu Nagi of GHSS Jotsoma and Khusi Khadka of GHSS Jotsoma.
In the HSSLC (Science) category, Moaakum T. Longkumer of PM Shri Mayangnokcha GHSS secured first position followed by Anadil Raza of the same school and Yinwang Peter of Rüzhükhrie GHSS, Kohima.
The programme also featured experience-sharing sessions by Sreeniti Mahapatra, Pooja Bharti, and Moaakum T Longkumer.
A presentation on the Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme was made by Programme Associate Balarilhun Lyngkhoi of the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation, Bengaluru. The Vidyadhan Scholarship in Nagaland is an initiative of the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (founded by Infosys co-founder SD Shibulal) in partnership with the Department of School Education, Nagaland. The programme supports meritorious students from government schools belonging to economically disadvantaged families.
Under the scholarship, selected students in Classes XI and XII receive financial assistance till graduation with financial assistance ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 per year depending on the course pursued. Beneficiaries also receive career counselling, mentorship, soft-skills training, and employability workshops.
Certificates were presented to the 22 Government Schools that achieved a 100 per cent pass percentage in the HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2026.
Sharing of best practices was conducted by Headmistress, Government High School, Maova, Uno K Dolie, and Principal, PM Shri Government Higher Secondary School, Thangjam, Imkongsenla Sangtam.
Special songs were presented by GHS Midland and GHSS, Viswema.
The programme was chaired by Kikruneinuo Liezietsu and concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Director, School Education, Razouseyi Vese.
