Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen and others with the graduates during the 14th Graduation Ceremony of the Modern Institute of Teacher Education in Kohima. (Photo Courtesy: MITE)
.jpg)
• 1.22 lakh govt employees, just 6.2% employment ratio
• Only 169 retirements due in 2026; B.Ed colleges produce 650 every year
Kohima, August 24 (MExN): With over 1.22 lakh government employees already in service and only 169 teachers set to retire by the end of 2026, Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen on Monday painted a stark picture of the state’s employment landscape, cautioning that fresh graduates, especially in teaching must look beyond traditional degrees to remain employable.
Speaking at the 14th Graduation Ceremony of the Modern Institute of Teacher Education (MITE) in Kohima, Imchen, who was the special guest, congratulated the outgoing student-teachers but did not mince words about the harsh realities awaiting them. “The government employment sector is highly saturated,” he said, citing data that showed 1,22,701 government employees out of a state population of 19,78,502, yielding a meagre 6.2% employment ratio.
Focusing on the teaching profession, he revealed that Nagaland currently has approximately 17,825 teachers in the government sector, but only 169 are due to retire between August and December 2026. Meanwhile, he noted, the state’s eight B.Ed. institutions collectively produce around 650 graduates every year. “This creates a significant mismatch between supply and demand,” Imchen stated.
Broadening the scope, the Chief Secretary pointed out that between 2022 and 2025, 33,211 students graduated from affiliated institutes in Nagaland, while only 3,197 persons were recruited into State government services. He emphasised that the labour market is undergoing a structural shift toward skills-based recruitment, warning that “candidates possessing a mere degree without specialization are becoming virtually unemployable.”
To bridge this critical gap, Imchen strongly urged educational institutions to reform traditional curricula and introduce what he called “Emerging Courses.” He identified high-demand sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security, Fin Tech, and Renewable Energy, noting their lucrative remuneration packages. “Data Analysts and AI Specialists can command salaries ranging from Rs 6–10 lakhs at the entry level, scaling up to Rs 30 lakhs for senior specialists,” he shared.
Earlier, MITE Principal Dr Kate Dandesh Kumar, in the welcome address, celebrated the institution’s academic record, announcing that the college produced 9 out of the Top 20 Nagaland University Toppers this year, including Ranks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 13 (two students), and 14. Dr Kumar noted that MITE has maintained a pass percentage of over 96.09% across its last eight batches and has produced 1,289 teachers for the state since its inception.
Dr Kumar also stressed the need to integrate digital literacy and artificial intelligence into teaching-learning processes, in line with NEP 2020. He appealed to the Chief Secretary for financial support to provide Interactive Smart Boards and upgrade the College Auditorium, saying such investments would help shape “tech-ready educators.”
Valedictorian Vikethozo Kuotsu, who secured Nagaland University Rank 1, delivered an inspiring address on behalf of the graduating class, reminding his peers that education is a continuous “process of becoming.” Sharing his personal story of overcoming academic setbacks, he encouraged graduates to “embrace failure as a tool for empathy and growth” and to remain compassionate in creating opportunities for others.
The ceremony, hosted by comperes Aten Lemtur and Kikruneino Peseyie, included invocations, special performances titled ‘We Made It Through’ and ‘More Than a Teacher’ by third-semester students, and the conferring of certificates by the Chief Secretary. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Alemdy L Sangtam and a benediction by Razoukhrienuo.
