Education is most important for development: Nagaland CM

Expressing that education is the most important element for development and progress of a society, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said that the state government will make all possible efforts towards providing quality education to the students.

Education is among the top priorities of the state government because of which it has taken over private colleges in almost every district, said Rio to a gathering of students at the All-Nagaland College Students Union's (ANCSU) 16th biennial conference at Phek district, some 145 km from the state capital.

Rio said that the state has a literacy rate of 79.55 per cent, which is higher than the national rate of 74.04 per cent, and it ranks 15th in the country.

The Chief Minister, however, regretted that despite 50 years of statehood, Nagaland lacks technical and medical colleges. "50 years of statehood and still the state government is pursuing with the Government of India for technical and medical colleges," he said.

The Chief Minister further said that despite such a high literacy rate, Naga society is yet to be civilized and therefore called upon the youngsters to take the lead and be agents of change.

"Youngsters being future leaders should take the lead in bringing change to the Naga society to make it a peaceful and harmonious state," he said.

PTI