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Students dance during the silver jubilee celebration of a school organisation, in Dimapur on Nov. 3[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Nov. 3 : A legislator has noted reports that are implied to be practices of subtle discrimination in private institutions. Some of these include priority being given to ‘good’ students while transfer certificates are being given to ‘weak’ students; or schools asking parents to deposit money, which are not returned unless their wards improve in performance.
The advisor was addressing the 25th anniversary of the All Nagaland Private Schools Association, Dimapur unit (ANSPA) at the Dimapur District Sports Council which was packed with students, teachers, and guests on November 3 to celebrate the silver jubilee.
The advisor for School Education, K Tokugha Sukhalu, attended the occasion as its main guest. He said that the private schools were performing better than the government institutions in terms of discipline, culture and accountability. While Dimapur is comparatively better than the rest of the districts, he said, there is very less space for outdoor activities though. He said learning methods are changing and the ANSPA should be able to manage trained personnel so that children are equipped with proper skills. He appealed to the teachers to ensure that courses are completed in time and ensure children are taught properly.
However, the advisor pointed out some of negative reports that reportedly were doing the rounds with regard to private educational institutions. These reports included alleged priority being given to ‘good’ students while transfer certificates are being given to weak students; reputed schools asking parents to deposit money and unless the children improve, funds are reportedly not returned.
At these, he asked the teachers to be proud of their students no matter what ‘background difference’ there may be. One cannot compare students based on their educational backgrounds and “you never know the brightest students may lose tomorrow,” he said. Institutions should not be only for profit-making but to ensure that students are nurtured to be the leaders of future, he reminded.
Enrolment in private institutions is increasing whereas enrolment in government institutions is decreasing. So, the responsibility is huge for the ANSPA, Sukhalu remarked. He added that students are the future and urged the children to pledge to be the “leaders of tomorrow.”
The director of the Central Board of School Education at Guwahati, KK choudhury, also addressed the event. He said that “Nagaland is a big contributor to the literacy rate of the country with 80.11%.”
In this changing scenario, non-conventional subjects are getting importance and employment opportunities are being widened. Almost 90% of job opportunities are available in the unorganised sector, he said. The official encouraged the gathering to embrace technology and incorporate the knowledge in their field. Further, he said that the Northeast region contributes greatly to the cultural and natural resources of the country.
