Nagaland | 16th March 2026
Participants engage in a brainstorming and action planning session during the Mission SOAR orientation for Lab Schools at De Oriental Grand Hotel in Kohima on March 10.
DIMAPUR — Mission SOAR Nagaland conducted a week-long orientation for its three Lab Schools from March 9 to the 13th to prepare school leaders and teachers to advance the objectives of the mission.
As part of the week-long programme, a one-day orientation for Mission SOAR Lab School teachers was held at De Oriental Grand Hotel, Kohima, on March 10.
According to an update, the day included sessions on Mission SOAR, the interventions portal, school-level reflections, a values workshop, discussions on the interventions, brainstorming on potential challenges, and action planning.
These sessions gave educators the opportunity to understand the framework of the mission and locate themselves within it as active participants.
Throughout the week, coaches from mission partner Shikha Institute were embedded in the schools, working closely with teachers and school leaders to support the implementation of innovative pedagogy and school practices. Their presence allowed ideas to be explored in context and challenges to be addressed in real time in classrooms and staff spaces.
Speaking about the significance of the week, Kevisato Sanyu, founder of NagaEd and Director of the Elevate Foundation, said that Mission SOAR is grounded in the belief that every school can become a place of excellence when it is supported with vision, trust, and the right tools.
Sanyu said the orientation was about preparing the Lab Schools not just to participate in change but to lead it with courage, clarity, and commitment.
Aluou Shuya, Vice Principal of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Jotsoma, said the orientation gave clarity on how to go about the Mission SOAR interventions.
Shuya said it also reinforced the ability to work collaboratively and share responsibility in order to bring about the desired outcome and added that the mission is a reminder of the kind of impact teachers can have on a student’s life.
Anguno Khate, Social Science teacher from Sovima Government High School, said the one-week orientation on school interventions was intense yet enriching. Khate said the coaches guided participants through the purpose and implementation of the various interventions, helping them gain a clearer understanding of how they can strengthen teaching practices and enhance student engagement.
Khate added that the sessions also encouraged reflection on current practices and highlighted the importance of thoughtful and consistent implementation.
The update stated that as Mission SOAR moves ahead, the Lab Schools will serve as important examples of what becomes possible when school communities are given the space, support, and belief to grow.
Karishma Shanghvi, Director of Shikha Institute, said their effort during the week was to walk alongside schools as they began the journey. Shanghvi said that by working directly with teachers and leaders, the aim was to help create strong foundations for the kind of learning environments Mission SOAR envisions.
