Nagaland’s Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, visited Satoi HQ under Satakha subdivision in Zunheboto district on April 7, 2025, where he engaged in an interaction programme with civil societies and stakeholders from eleven villages under the Satoi Range.
Held at the Cultural Hall in Satoi Town, the program brought together government teachers, Village Councils, the Satoi Range GBs Association, the Satoi Range Students’ Union (SRSU), and the Satoi Town Elders Forum to discuss educational reforms and improvements in the region.
During the gathering, Minister for Roads and Bridges, G. Kaito Aye, lauded Dr Yhome and his team for visiting Satoi HQ. He praised the Department of School Education’s efforts under Dr Yhome’s leadership in raising educational standards across Nagaland, particularly in rural areas.
Reflecting on past challenges, Aye noted that Satoi Range had faced significant hurdles due to insurgency issues during the early stages of educational reform, which had impacted the growth of education in the region. However, he said, under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, substantial progress has been made and reforms are ongoing. Aye expressed confidence that Rio’s leadership will continue to drive improvements, especially in rural areas.
The minister further assured his support for the Education Department’s initiative to rationalize teacher deployment in the state and urged the student community and stakeholders to actively work towards improving student enrollment. He pledged his commitment to the welfare of students in the region.
In his address, Dr Yhome revealed that there are 38 schools under the Satakha constituency, including nine schools in the Satoi Range. He encouraged the community to prioritize academic pursuits in government schools within their respective villages rather than sending children to urban areas, noting that this would ease financial burdens while still offering quality education.
Highlighting that government schools are staffed with well-qualified teachers, Dr. Yhome urged communities to ensure increased enrollment of both male and female students. He also appealed to village communities to safeguard government school properties and support initiatives aimed at community welfare.
Addressing concerns about teacher shortages and low student enrollment in government schools, Dr Yhome acknowledged the long-standing blame game between civil societies and the government. Proposing a practical solution, he suggested that if villages and areas work towards increasing enrollment in local government schools, the department would, in turn, ensure the posting of more teachers to meet the demand.
Speaking on the transfer of teachers, Dr Yhome clarified that there is no concept of transferring teachers along with posts. Teachers are transferred strictly according to the needs and requirements of government schools, he said.
On the issue of school downgrading and closures, Dr Yhome explained that schools are closed or downgraded when there is nil enrollment. However, he assured that if student enrollment improves, the state government would consider upgrading the schools again. He urged stakeholders not to pressure the government unnecessarily but to have confidence in its efforts.
During the interaction hour, the Satoi Range GBs Association (SRGBA) submitted several requests to Dr Yhome. These included replacing the Graduate Teacher at GMS Satoi who is set to retire in April and providing an adequate number of teachers at the school. The association also requested the construction of staff quarters and other necessary infrastructure at Satoi HQ. The association expressed gratitude to the Advisor and the department officials for visiting Satoi HQ, which allowed stakeholders to voice the grievances of the student community.
After the formal interaction session, Dr Yhome, accompanied by Minister G Kaito Aye, visited GMS Satoi and interacted with the teaching faculty.
Dr Yhome was accompanied by his wife and several key officials from the Department of School Education, including Vikhweno Chale, Joint Secretary, School Education; R Daniel Angami, Under Secretary, School Education; Khriesano Nagi, Joint Director, School Education; Khriekuonuo Pienyu, Planning Officer, School Education; Dr Atshu, PS to Advisor School Education, and other dignitaries.