According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Nagaland has the highest

unemployment rate in India at 56 %. With the state churning out thousands of graduates per year, the
percentage is set to increase in the near future unless pre-emptive measures are taken. However, the
statistic is just one of the many that are symptomatic of the under-par level of education, health,
guidance and opportunities the state has to offer. The malady starts from childhood and this
manifests in the form of poor output our youth has to offer later in life.

Various studies on the quality of education in the state are damning. The state is among the top 3
states in primary drop-out rates (20.95%) compared to the national average of 6.35%. The ASER
2017-18 report indicates just over 50% learning retention. For eg. In Nagaland just over half of the
students in class V can read class II level books.

A resource book on “Teaching Learning Materials” for classes 6,7 and 8 indicates that schools in
Nagaland are still unable to achieve the desired performance level in Math. This indicates the
infamous tag of Naga students being poor in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
subjects.Though its average scores in English and Social Science are above the national average, Naga
students performance in Math and Science still remain much to be desired.The Nagaland University
ranked among the top 100 in National Institutional Ranking Framework annually conducted by the
MHRD. However, a closer look reveals that though NU scored well in quantitative parameters like
teacher- students ration and syllabus, it fared very poor in qualitative parameters like learning
outcomes, output, research,etc.

The reasons for such poor results are apparent:Institutionalized system of rot learning and
memorization;a focus on securing “high pass percentages ‘ as glorified in HSLC and HSSLC
performances; neglecting learning outcomes; rigid syllabi; lack of state government funding;
untrained teachers.

As per the Sustainable Development Goals India baseline report Nagaland has still a long way to go
especially in providing decent work and economic growth to its citizens. It ranks 2 nd from the bottom
among Indian states. The ubiquitous dream of securing a government job is not a reality for many
Naga graduates. Intense competition , few vacancies and over-employed departments make
opportunities impossible. To illustrate 4 post- graduates were recently part of the 65th Nagaland
Police Recruitment. Obviously over-qualified but a lack of employment alternatives has frustrated the
Naga youth for decades.This frustation foments undesirable elements in most of our youths.
Nagaland has the second highest opioid users in India as per the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerments Magnitude of Substance Abuse Study. With the proper guidance this frustation could
instead be channelled into productive ventures, and this is where public policy and the State
government should play a vital role.

Youthnet’s Hospitality Programme for example is a 100 % job guarantee training and employment
programme fully sponsored by the Government. The 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly has also
announced the Nagaland Start-up Policy 2019 that include tax exemptions under GST and a growth
of at least 500 start-ups in the state in the next five years. With such incentives already underway,
what is needed among the youths is a revolution in attitude. The smart city programmes in Dimapur
and Kohima present ample self- employment opportunities from agro and allied businesses to
technology to even quality of life services such as food- delivery. The time is nigh and high for Nagas
to re-invent their goals and diversify into the ocean of opportunities that the 21 st century has to offer.