Education In Arunachal Pradesh

A uniform system of education prevails in Arunachal which has a total population of just over 13 lakhs across 19 districts of total area 83,400 sq. km.

With the predominance of tribal population, modern education is gaining roots in a gradual manner in this extreme north-eastern state bordering China and Myanmar.

Education in Arunachal is evolving with each passing day. The state is an important research centre on yak.For a national research centre on yak, more popular as ICAR has been set up in Itanagar that draws interested persons on this unique subject.

The literacy rate of Arunachal Pradesh is 66.95% (as per 2011 census), a notable jump from 54.74% in 2001 census.

Several new projects and mega plans are on the anvil with the state government getting liberal funding assistance from the Centre to improve the educational scenario in this hill state blessed with abundant resources.

Besides, a number of local NGOs have undertaken special campaigns and awareness drives in remote corners of the state to enrol children in schools for shaping their career.

School Education in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal follows a uniform structure of 10+2 system in school education like in rest of the country.

The primary stage of schooling is from Class I to V, the middle stage begins from Class VI till VIII, and the secondary schooling is Classes IX and X.

While the higher secondary Classes XI-XII (Plus Two) determine the future academic orientation of students.

In order to universalise elementary education in Arunachal Pradesh, state government offers free education to students up to the age of 14.

The state has established a number of pre-primary, primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools across the districts to facilitate the education of Arunachal students.

There are as many as 68 higher secondary schools, 137 pre-primary schools, 1280 primary schools, 103 high schools, and 329 middle schools in the state.

Higher Education in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh has a few renowned institutes that attract quality students from the north-eastern region.

The North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) plays a critical role in raising the technical and management education in the state.

The Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University and Himalayan University have been established to further broad base the technical courses being offered in Arunachal Another premier institution is Rajiv Gandhi University that provide a range of science and technical programmes.

Arunachal Pradesh consist of three universities, one deemed university and several recognised professional colleges.

Guide - a new educational scheme

An innovative scheme titled Guide was launched by the department of education for nurturing government schools.

Based on the concept of mentoring, this scheme does not require any financial expenditure and works on the principle of pairing up of a selected school (pupil) with an officer (mentor). Chiefly, it aims to improve the examination performances of students.

Medium of Instruction

English is the primary medium of instruction in various schools in Arunachal Pradesh.

Besides, the colleges and universities as well as other professional institutes use English as the medium of teaching and also for general communication.

List of institutes of higher education

Arunachal has one central university, one deemed and six state varsities:

1. Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University (technical, medical)
2. North East Frontier Technical University (NEFTU) (technical)
3. Arunachal University of Studies (state-affiliating)
4. Venkateshwara Open University (private open)
5. Apex Professional University (professional-affiliating)
6. Himalayan University (state-non-affiliating)
7. Rajiv Gandhi University (central-affiliating)
8. North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (deemed-non-affiliating)

Architecture colleges: Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University (private)

There are six engineering colleges in Arunachal:

• North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (central)
• National Institute of Technology (central)
• Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic (state)
• Tomi Polytechnic College (private)
• Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University (private)
• North East Frontier Technical University Campus (private technical)

The state has three medical colleges:

1. North East Homeopathic Medical College (central)
2. Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University (private)
3. Igtamsu School of nursing (private)

One law college: Arunachal Law Academy (private)

Besides, there are 21 degree colleges and two institutes offering cultural studies and fine arts in Arunachal Pradesh.