In a significant step towards improving education in the Nicobar Islands, village heads and education officials in Car Nicobar have come together to strengthen the local schooling system. On 3rd October 2025, a crucial meeting was organised by the Principal of the State Institute of Education (SIE) and her team, in collaboration with the Education Office, Car Nicobar, at the Conference Hall of the Education Office. The gathering brought together local leaders, school administrators, and education officers to discuss challenges faced by students and strategies to uplift educational standards across the region.

I wanted to write about this event because such collaborations between local governance and education authorities rarely receive the attention they deserve. In remote regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, education faces unique challenges — from infrastructure limitations to teacher shortages and language barriers. When local communities take ownership of the learning process, it not only improves accountability but also ensures that solutions are rooted in local realities. This meeting in Car Nicobar represents a meaningful model of how community-led education reform can bring lasting change in remote areas.

Community and Officials Unite for Educational Reform

The meeting in Car Nicobar reflected a shared vision — to ensure that every child in the island receives quality education regardless of geography or background. The Principal of SIE, while addressing the gathering, emphasised that education is a shared responsibility and called for strong cooperation between schools, local panchayats, and parents.

Village heads (Captains) from various parts of Car Nicobar attended the meeting, expressing their commitment to improving attendance, reducing dropouts, and supporting teachers in implementing learning initiatives. Officials from the Education Department presented data on school enrolment, exam results, and attendance trends, highlighting both achievements and areas that need urgent attention.

Key Issues Discussed

During the discussions, several critical challenges were identified, along with possible solutions:

• Student Attendance: Many schools reported irregular attendance, especially in higher classes. Village leaders agreed to support awareness campaigns encouraging regular school participation.
• Teacher Shortage: The Education Office acknowledged the shortage of qualified teachers in remote villages and assured that steps are being taken to fill these vacancies through new recruitment.
• Language and Learning Barriers: Participants discussed the need to include Nicobarese language support in primary education to help children transition smoothly to English or Hindi mediums.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Several schools in the area require renovation, better sanitation, and learning facilities. Officials agreed to take up these concerns with higher authorities for speedy action.
• Parental Engagement: It was decided that monthly village-level meetings would be held to discuss students’ progress and encourage parents to participate more actively in their children’s education.

Role of Village Heads in the Education Movement

The participation of village heads marked a turning point in Car Nicobar’s education development. Traditionally, the Captains have played a key role in community welfare, and their involvement in education now ensures that schools have strong local backing.

Several village representatives shared that they plan to organise community-based support systems, such as after-school learning groups and mentorship for students appearing for board exams. They also discussed how local youth can be engaged in volunteer teaching activities to bridge short-term learning gaps.

The meeting concluded with a collective resolution — that every child in Car Nicobar should have access to inclusive, well-supported, and meaningful education.

SIE’s Commitment to Strengthening Local Education

The State Institute of Education (SIE) team reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Car Nicobar’s schools through regular training and monitoring. The Principal of SIE noted that education in the islands requires context-specific strategies that combine modern teaching methods with cultural understanding.

She said, “Our goal is to make every school in Car Nicobar a centre of joyful and effective learning. We will continue to collaborate with local leaders and teachers to ensure that children here have the same opportunities as students in mainland India.”

The SIE team also conducted a review session with teachers, discussing classroom practices, lesson planning, and student assessment methods. Teachers were encouraged to use local examples and interactive activities to make lessons more engaging.

Collaborative Approach: A Model for Island Education

The Car Nicobar meeting highlighted how a collaborative, community-driven approach can overcome the isolation that often affects educational development in island territories. Instead of depending solely on top-down government schemes, this initiative empowers local institutions to take ownership of change.

By involving multiple stakeholders — from village heads and teachers to parents and education officials — the process ensures that solutions are practical, sustainable, and culturally sensitive.

Such efforts also align with India’s broader National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages decentralised education governance and community participation in improving school outcomes.

Voices from the Community

Several participants expressed optimism about the initiative. One village head remarked, “Education is not just the government’s duty; it is our responsibility too. When our children succeed, the whole community grows stronger.”

A teacher from the Education Department shared that having the community’s support will make it easier to address attendance and motivation issues among students. Another participant highlighted the importance of introducing local cultural education in schools, so that children stay connected to their heritage while pursuing modern studies.