HSLC & HSSLC 2015 toppers felicitated
Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 29
Governor PB Acharya today said that only education, which is a vital tool of empowerment, will bring social harmony in any society where there is social unrest.
He said this while answering to a query put up by a student during an interactive session at the felicitation programme of toppers and rank holders of HSLC and HSSLC 2015 at the Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
Addressing the toppers, Acharya stated that education should not end with the success of the individual self but should be aimed for the greater good of one’s society, state and country. He lamented that while education encompasses a great responsibility, today it is becoming more and more self-centred.
Congratulating the toppers, the Governor said as top achievers, they could opt for any kind of education that they want. However, he exhorted that the most important thing is to know what they want that education for.
“Getting knowledge and empowerment is just the beginning,” he said.
Reminding that with the explosion of information technology the relevance of traditional four-walled education is declining, Acharya pointed out the need for educational institutions to strive to produce young people equipped with skills. He also remarked that there are so many options and opportunities today unlike the olden days and these avenues should be explored.
“Skill is very important and just holding a degree will not take you anywhere,” he said, adding, “We need to open our minds and equip our young students with skills-based knowledge.”
The Governor also emphasized the need to uplift the government schools in the state as they mostly cater to the lesser privileged children. Opining that Nagaland will not rise if the government schools do not rise, he called upon all to contribute in reaching out to empower the people from the poorer sections of the state.
During the occasion, Acharya presented the Governor’s Award consisting of medal, certificate and cash to the toppers and the rank holders of HSLC and HSSLC 2015. He also handed over the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) award for toppers.In his brief address, Minister for School Education, Yitachu expressed concern over the large number of students who could not make it through in the 2015 HSLC and HSSLC. Quoting the figures, he said 8734 students have failed in HSLC this year while 3,023 dropped out and in the HSSLC level 4292 students failed and 3479 dropped out, bringing a staggering total of 19, 528.
“A small state like ours, if we were to see around 20,000 youth failed and dropped out annually, it is a very serious concern,” he said and further underscored the need to find out the actual cause whether the fault lies with the department, with the teachers or the students themselves. He voiced apprehension that if this trend continues, then in 20 years’ time we will be having 3,90,000, and this huge number will be a part of activities at various levels in the government bodies and the society. “We want to reduce this number from next year so that we create a better atmosphere for students,” he stated.
While lauding the success of the toppers, he urged upon them to further progress so as to contribute to the society. The minister also highlighted the need to create a conducive atmosphere for the younger generation to work and for the prosperity of the Nagas.
Commissioner & Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, SCERT and School Education, FP Solo and NBSE chairperson, Asano Sekhose also spoke on the occasion.
Besides the toppers and officials of education department, the programme was attended by teachers and parents of the toppers.
