Nagaland Tests New Quality Assessment Framework for Government Schools

Kohima: Nagaland launched a new pilot program to grade government schools on more than just test scores. The initiative covers 114 schools across Kohima district. MLA and Advisor for School Education Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome introduced the project Thursday at the Capital Convention Centre. It operates under the Mission SOAR reform effort alongside the Elevate Foundation.

The program uses the School Transformation through Excellence in Learning and Leadership Assessment, or STELLA, framework. Mumbai-based Shikha Academy trained school heads and monitoring officers on the new system during a day-long session. Schools will input information into a digital portal. An algorithm then scores the data for review by state officials. Yhome noted that school quality requires a broader view. "School quality should not be judged only by academic results," Yhome said.

The framework mirrors the national PARAKH School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework to ensure consistency with federal standards. Yhome also announced a 100 million rupee memorandum of understanding with Google to bring in more IT partners. This pilot focuses on Kohima to identify capacity gaps and refine the system before expanding across the state.