Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, January 22
Two apex organizations of the Ao community namely the Ao Senden and the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) have served an ultimatum to the Nagaland authorities of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA) to ‘give a justifiable response’ concerning the recent recruitment of teachers under the RMSA mission.
The ultimatum was appended by the Ao Senden’s president Imolemba Jamir and AKM’s vice-president Akummeren Longchar. The organizations have set January 31, 2016 as the date for the Nagaland RMSA by which to respond.
The two apex Ao organizations are demanding answers from the director of the state’s RMSA over the selection of only five candidates for Ao subject after the viva-voce, despite 26 candidates qualifying in the written examination against 20 posts.
“Your concerned department will be solely held responsible for any untoward situation created in this connection due to your negligence,” stated the ultimatum.
It may be noted here that the written examinations for 20 Ao subject teachers under the RMSA was held on May 24, 2014. Twenty six candidates were declared successful during the examination. The interviews were conducted on August 8, 2015 and the results were declared on November 30, 2015, Five candidates were selected for the Ao subject teacher posts following the results being declared.
However, right after the declaration of the results, there were voices of discontent from various organizations of the community. The organizations questioned why only five Ao subject teachers were selected against the post of 20, while twenty six were cleared through the written examinations.
Notable among the organizations were Ao Senso Telongjem of Dimapur, the Central Nagaland Students’ Association and even the Central Nagaland Tribes Council who have questioned the integrity of the RMSA results.
With this ultimatum served by the influential Ao Senden and the Ao Students’ Conference, the issue might just get more interesting, unless there are some clear-cut responses from the RMSA, Nagaland.
About the RMSA
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) (English:”National Mission for Secondary Education”) is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, for the development of secondary education in public schools throughout India.
The project was launched in March 2009. The implementation of the scheme has started from 2009-2010 to provide conditions for an efficient growth, development and equity for all. The scheme includes a multidimensional research, technical consulting, various implementations and funding support.
The principal objectives are to enhance quality of secondary education and increase the total enrollment rate from 52% (as of 2005–2006) to 75% in five years, i.e. from 2009–2014. It aims to provide universal education for all children between 15-16 years of age. The funding from the central ministry is provided through state governments, which establish separate implementing agencies. The total budget allocated during the XI Five Year Plan (2002-2007) was 2012 billion (US$30 billion).
The objectives of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan can be summarised as follows:
• To improve quality of education imparted at secondary level through making all secondary schools conform to prescribed norms
• To remove gender, socio-economic and disability barriers
• Universal access to secondary level education by 2017, i.e., by the end of the XII Five Year Plan
• Universal retention by 2020.
(Full text of ultimatum)
To,
The Director
RMSA
Kohima, Nagaland
Ultimatum
With reference to our previous letter dated 18th December 2015 regarding the conduct and result of language teachers under RMSA, and our forwarding letter from the director SCERT Nagaland, Kohima, we have so far not received any response from your end till now. It is therefore reminded to justify our appeal latest by January 31 2016 without fail. Your concerned department will be solely held responsible for any untoward situation created in this connection due to your negligence.
19th Jan. 2016
Mokokchung
(Imolemba Jamir) (Akummeren Longchar)
President Vice-President
Ao Senden Ao Students’ Conference
