Guwahati: Nagaland has recorded a literacy rate of 95.7 per cent, making it the third most literate state in India after Kerala and Mizoram, Advisor for School Education and SCERT Kekhrielhoulie Yhome said on Saturday.

Speaking at the state-level Teachers’ Day celebration in Kohima, Yhome credited the sustained efforts of teachers for the state’s transformation in literacy since it attained statehood in 1963.

Nagaland’s literacy rate was 21.95 per cent at the time of statehood. Yhome said the significant rise over the decades reflected the contribution of generations of teachers and the expansion of education across the state.

He said around 32,714 teachers in government and private schools are currently engaged in educating children across Nagaland, often working in challenging geographical and professional conditions.

Calling teaching one of the “most noble professions”, Yhome said teachers play a role beyond classroom instruction by nurturing and guiding students with care and responsibility.

The advisor said the state government was working to overhaul the school education system around three major areas -infrastructure, human resources and curriculum.

On infrastructure, Yhome acknowledged that several schools continue to face shortages of basic facilities. He particularly pointed to the absence of adequate toilets in some institutions, which can disproportionately affect girl students. The government, he said, would address such gaps through phased infrastructure development.

The human resources component will focus on strengthening teacher training, improving personnel management and enhancing coordination between schools and field-level education offices. Yhome also spoke of strengthening administrative and governance mechanisms and developing a more personalised school system through an improved feeder-school network.

Curriculum reform, which he described as the most important component, will seek to introduce innovative approaches and build an education system capable of preparing students for the demands of a rapidly changing global environment.

Yhome said schools must evolve to equip Gen Z, Gen Alpha and succeeding generations with skills required in the 21st century. He stressed that the school ecosystem would play a key role in developing future leaders.

Highlighting the achievements of Naga students and educational institutions, Yhome said their performance demonstrated the potential of young people from the state to excel at both national and international levels.

He also congratulated Government Higher Secondary School, Sechu Zubza, for producing teacher R Ronald Meru, who received the National Teachers’ Award in New Delhi on Saturday. Yhome described Meru’s recognition among educators from across the country as a proud moment for Nagaland.

The state-level Teachers’ Day programme was organised by the Nagaland government’s School Education Department.

During the event, 12 teachers from government and private institutions were recognised for their contribution to education and commitment to their students. A School Safety Excellence Award was also presented.

Teachers’ Day is observed across India on September 5 to mark the birth anniversary of former President Dr S Radhakrishnan and acknowledge the role of teachers in education, social development and nation-building.

In recognition of teachers’ contribution, the Nagaland government has also declared September 7 a holiday for all educational institutions in the state.