Better Late Than Never

The attempt to crackdown on rampant practice of keeping proxy teachers in the state by the Directorate of School Education is one of the best things that have happened in the recent years. It is a move that should have been taken long ago but most past and present leaders did not have the courage to tackle it, despite knowing the detrimental effect it has on the society. The state government and officials have been allowing proxy teaching right under their nose all these years, perhaps because of the possible backlash they might get from those who want to draw salary without working. Emboldened by government’s inaction, many teachers continue to let substitutes teach on their behalf. Some even take pride in telling the world that they get paid without working. This practice has become a system over time, and even created a wrong notion among young students that “government employees don’t work and don’t have to work.” It has not only spoiled several generations by depriving young minds of quality education but also almost legalised corruption. Sadly, this illegal practice is more rampant in remote areas where people need quality teachers and education more than their counterparts in towns and cities. When most people seem to have lost all hope with officials failing to bell the cat over the years, despite complaints from several individuals and organisations, the state’s Directorate of School Education infused a ray of hope recently by coming down heavily on those who didn’t perform their duties. The directorate has ordered more than a dozen teachers, who were either keeping substitutes or were absent during an inspection in Kiphire district, to immediately join their places of posting. They have been asked to email to the director’s office every day with proof of their attendance from November 11 till the academic session for this year’s end. They should attach their photographs with the school building in the background and another one while taking classes, in their email. The teachers also have to sign an undertaking that henceforth they would be regular and not keep proxy in their places of posting. Failing to comply with this order would lead to termination of their service without any further notice. Such education system-cleansing action should have been taken up long ago but it’s better late than never. This should act as a warning bell to all the government employees across the state. They should either fall in line and perform their duties at the places of their posting or resign from their service instead of demeaning the teaching profession, which is considered “noble”. By refusing to do their duties, they are not only obstructing hundreds of educated people, who are willing to impart knowledge to the young minds, from serving the public but also depriving students of quality education. The practice of proxy teachers should be done away with once and for all and genuine deserving people should be given the chance.