Kohima: Zunheboto is struggling with a lopsided education system. Private schools serve twice as many students as their government counterparts, even though the district operates four times more public facilities. The District Education Department shared these numbers during a November 10 DISHA meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner conference hall.
Uketo Yeptho, assistant district coordinator, presented the findings for the 2025-2026 academic year. Out of 17,854 total students, 12,310 attend private institutions. Only 5,544 students are in government schools. The district hosts 270 total schools: 218 public and 52 private. Yeptho noted that 10 government primary schools and one government middle school closed this year alone.
Staffing levels show a similar divide. Government schools employ 1,646 teachers, while private schools manage with 775. The Zunheboto block carries the heaviest load, recording 9,821 students across 76 schools. Other blocks include Akuluto with 2,600, Aghunato with 2,082, Satakha with 1,706, and Pughoboto with 1,645 students.
Financial reports indicate the government disbursed Rs 32.85 lakh to 218 schools via the Composite School Grant. Officials also distributed Rs 11.95 lakh for Youth and Eco-Club initiatives and Rs 6.70 lakh for sports and physical education. The district currently houses 48 urban deprived children at the NSCBV Residential Hostel.
Practical learning remains a focus. Elementary schools teach skills like soap making and bamboo crafting. Secondary schools focus on trades like automotive repair, healthcare, and IT. GHSS Zunheboto leads in variety, while others like GHS Shovishe and GHS Ighanumi offer niche training. Regarding the district's creative success, Yeptho stated, "Zunheboto winning the state-level Visual Arts 3D category and participating at the national-level event held in Pune in December 2025" marks a major highlight for the department.
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