All Nagaland Pre-Service Teachers' Association raises concern over lack of open teacher recruitment

DIMAPUR — The All Nagaland Pre-Service Teachers' Association (ANPSTA) has expressed deep concern over the lack of open primary teacher recruitment in the state over the past 11 years, stating that thousands of teachers have secured jobs through unfair means during this period.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association stated that this has denied many aspiring teachers the chance to even sit for the exam, let alone secure a position.

It highlighted that with 700 to 800 teachers retiring annually, vacant posts are being filled by unqualified individuals, compromising the quality of education. Many primary schools face a shortage of subject teachers, yet the department refuses to advertise any posts, claiming there is an excess of teachers. The ANPSTA termed this claim as misleading and detrimental to the education system.

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The association noted that the inaction of the department has led to a sense of frustration and disillusionment among qualified teachers. Many have become overage; others have changed their careers, and some have given up hope on the education department altogether.

It added that the widespread perception that backdoor recruitment is the only way to secure a teaching job is eroding the faith of the people in the system.

Since 2018, only two primary teacher posts have been publicly advertised in local newspapers, leaving thousands of aspirants in the dark. The ANPSTA stated that the refusal of the department to acknowledge the issue and take corrective action has perpetuated a system that prioritises favouritism over merit.

The statement pointed out that despite numerous pleas for transparency and fairness, as well as RTI filings and representations, there has been no meaningful response from the authorities.

The association questioned whether the department is deliberately waiting for chaos to erupt, forcing citizens to protest on the streets.

“Must the people demand their rights through unrest before the government acknowledges this blatant injustice? Will it take a full-blown crisis for emergency meetings to be called and this issue to be addressed?” it said.