Kohima: Mount Mary College students gathered in Chümoukedima on November 11 to mark National Education Day 2026. The college Department of Education organized the event to honor the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister. It was a day for deep reflection. Assistant Professor Kelewelu Wezah delivered the keynote address.
Wezah challenged the current focus on testing. She argued that students need to look past mere exam scores to build moral values and lifelong learning habits. Education must change. Wezah told the crowd, “Education must go beyond examinations, embrace critical thinking” and responsible citizenship. She also pushed for smarter, more inclusive use of technology and artificial intelligence in the classroom.
The department hosted an extempore speech contest called The Art of Spontaneous Expression to test student nerves. The challenge pushed pupils to communicate clearly and think on their feet. Thechano Yanthan from the 1st Semester of BA Education took the top prize. Niamkoi P. from the 3rd Semester finished second, while 1st Semester student Leom Phom placed third. The college handed out cash prizes and certificates to the winners.
The event closed with a pledge to stick to value-based teaching. Faculty members walked away promising to keep education inclusive and centered on building a stronger nation.
Updated at 12th November 2026 at 1:48am
While Mount Mary College held its event, a separate observation took place in Kohima under the Nagaland Education Association and the state SCERT. That program centered on the theme of education for employability and social transformation. Advisor Achumbemo Kikon noted that while Nagaland has seen gains in literacy, the system needs to push students beyond the hunt for government jobs. He told attendees that students should gain practical skills and contribute to their communities without viewing any specific line of work as beneath them.
NEA President Dr. Bweyhunle Khing warned that the government job market has hit a wall. She cited data showing over 71,000 registered jobseekers, with 92 percent of the educated unemployed lacking vocational training. Khing argued the state must pivot toward a system that builds job creators rather than job seekers. She pointed to potential in sectors like agriculture, digital marketing, and handicrafts, urging a move toward skill-based training to give students a fighting chance in the modern economy.
Updated at 12th November 2026 at 2:00pm
Khwehile Keppen, the General Secretary of the Department of Education, served as the compere for the Mount Mary College event.
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