Dimapur, May 15 (EMN): Expounding on the importance of education for development of human resource, advisor of School Education, KT Sukhalu, has highly appreciated the major role played by private schools in the field of education in the State.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of Highland School in Satakha on May 14 as guest of honour, Sukhalu lauded the efforts put in by private schools and their enormous performance by outshining the government schools counterpart.
He lamented that some government schools are not performing well despite all efforts given by the government. He has attributed to weak foundation at the elementary stage for unsatisfactory result in government schools.
He reminded that the Ministry of Human Resource, Government of India, has made it mandatory for all schools- both government and private- to have trained teachers by 2019, adding those untrained teachers would be terminated. He also stated that there are more than 2000 untrained teachers in both the government and private schools in Nagaland.
Sukhalu has, however, expressed satisfaction on the performance of Government Higher Secondary Schools. He stated that commerce stream had done better than the private schools and added that science and arts stream too are not lagging behind the private schools.
He advised the teachers to have passion to teach. He lamented that many teachers chose teaching as a second or third option instead of first profession. He encouraged the teachers to have a heart to teach and pass on the knowledge to the students, not just giving lecture and tuition in the class.
He also exhorted the students to study with a purpose and not for the sake of study.
“Today there are many students who have graduated five or six years back or post graduated yet unemployed. This is because they just follow their friends without focus in their studies,” Sukhalu stated.
Speaking on behalf of the alumni, Rev. Dr. Kavito Zhimo, principal of Trinity Theological College and president of Serampore University, urged the students to adapt to the changes of the 21st century as the advancement in science and technology has change the concept of education in the present era.
He pointed out that the literate of the 21st century would not be those who can read and write but those who can learn, relearn and unlearn.
“We need to update and learn new skills, unlearn those which are not relevant and relearn conceptual that are needed. We need to incorporate and instil in our students character formation, social values, and spiritual values to bring changes in our society,” Dr. Zhimo stated.
He further encouraged the students to learn by quoting Proverbs 4:13 “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.”
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperation and special guest, G Kaito Aye, released the school souvenir on the occasion.
The programme began with unveiling of the jubilee monolith by guest of honour. The principal of Highland School, Dr. Hokishe Yeptho delivered the welcome address, while the invocation prayer was said by Rev. Kughato Chophy, pastor of Satakha Town Baptist Church, the vote of thanks was proposed by Shanchothung Tsanglao, editor of jubilee souvenir, and the benediction was said by Jasper Yeptho, women associate pastor of STBC.
Other highlights of the celebration included presentation of folk dances and contemporary dances by the students. Action song was presented by tiny tots of nursery class and special songs by the school choir.
