Kohima, September 5, 2026: On Teachers Day, Saturday 5th September The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Department of School Education (DoSE) and NagaEd honoured two teachers for putting disaster preparedness into practice.
Launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in December 2023, the Nagaland Disaster Management School Safety Policy Compliance Course supports implementation of school safety requirements aligned with the National Disaster Management Authority’s National School Safety Guidelines. The programme covers teachers across government and private schools in Nagaland, with certification forming part of the state’s compliance effort.
“Nagaland sits in one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the country, and our schools hold our children for six hours a day. The state can write the policy and fund the training, but preparedness is decided in the schoolyard, by teachers who make safety part of everyday school life. We recognise these two teachers because we want every school to see what preparedness looks like in practice.”
— Dr. Johnny Ruangmei, Joint CEO, NSDMA
The School Safety Excellence Awards have been conferred upon 10 schools in total since 2024 during Teachers’ Day to acknowledge the efforts of the teachers of these schools in completing the compliance training. This year, the award was presented at the State-level Teachers’ Day celebration, recognising individual teachers for continuing school safety activities after completing the Nagaland Disaster Management School Safety Policy Compliance Course. The Awards were conferred upon Nukshitemjen, PT Teacher of Government High School, Kubolong, Mokokchung and Wanglem W. Konyak, Primary Teacher and Scout Master of Holy Angel’s School, Tizit Town, Mon.
At Government High School, Kubolong, Nukshitemjen has supported continued awareness programmes and practical demonstrations on disaster preparedness. The school participated in Phase 1 of the School Safety Policy Compliance Course in 2024 and has continued reinforcing safety practices among students.
At Holy Angel’s School, Tizit Town, Wanglem W. Konyak led whole-school earthquake mock drills as Scout Master. The exercise took students through the sequence of drop, cover and hold on, followed by an orderly evacuation, first-aid practice and assembly at a designated safe zone. The school also participated in Phase 1 of the School Safety Policy Compliance Course in 2024.
Kevisato Sanyü, Founder, NagaEd, said the course aims to make disaster preparedness a regular part of school life rather than a one-time training requirement.
“We want teachers to move from knowing what to do to practising what to do. A drill gives students a response they can remember and repeat when it matters. Teachers like Nukshitemjen and Wanglem show how school safety becomes stronger when it lives in everyday practice.”
Almost 12,000 teachers have registered for the Compliance Course across its first two phases since its launch in December 2023. Phase 1 recorded 7,567 registrations and 3,193 certifications, while Phase 2 took cumulative registrations to almost 12,000, with half of the registrants already certified.
Aonok Aier, Head of Projects & Learning Excellence, NagaEd, added,
“The success of the School Safety Programme reflects the power of strong partnerships, school participation, and sustained capacity building in strengthening disaster preparedness across Nagaland. As we prepare for Phase 3, we are excited to build on these achievements, expand our reach, and empower even more schools to become safer and more resilient.”
The School Safety Excellence Awards come as Nagaland continues to strengthen school-level preparedness, with teachers playing a central role in translating policy and training into practical safety routines for students.
