Dr. Yhome seeks concerted efforts on rationalisation of teac
Dr. Yhome seeks concerted efforts on rationalisation of teachers
Dr.Yhome highlighted that the Nagaland government is implementing significant reform in the school education sector including rationalising teachers and students, closing down underperforming schools and improving data-driven policy decisions.
KOHIMA — Nagaland’s
advisor of School Education and SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, on Tuesday
admitted that the recent rationalisation has opened Pandora’s Box. However, he
added that it was an opportunity for all to understand and work together,
putting in their best efforts to restore the glory of the state’s education
system.
Participating in the discussion on the governor’s address,
he highlighted that the Nagaland government is implementing significant reforms
in the school education sector including rationalising teachers and students,
closing down underperforming schools and improving data-driven policy
decisions.
He emphasised the need for a strong school education system
to develop the state's human resources. He informed that Nagaland currently has
1,925 schools, categorised based on student enrollment.
“Schools with zero enrollment, totaling 157, have been
identified as a major concern. The government has found that these schools
either have teachers but no students or lack both teachers and students,” Dr.
Yhome said.
To address these issues, he stated department is
implementing a teacher rationalisation process, redistributing surplus teachers
from overstaffed schools to institutions facing shortages.
“We are pulling out excess teachers and placing them where
they are required," he said, adding that this is crucial for improving the
efficiency of the education system.
Highlighting that every primary school is supposed to have
seven teachers, he stated that the department is trying its best to provide the
minimum requirement, irrespective of urban or rural locations.
As part of this reform, Dr. Yhome said the government has
closed 120 schools through outright closure, while 17 others have been merged
or downgraded through the State Level Education Committee (SLEC) meeting held
on October 27, 2024.
Additionally, he informed that 1,650 teachers have been
transferred, with 1,073 identified as outright surplus. Among them, 58 math and
science teachers had to be redistributed.
He stated that posting a graduate math teacher in a primary
school is unnecessary, so such teachers were pulled out and assigned to middle
or high schools, where there was a shortage of math and science teachers.
The advisor said, “Out of the 1,650 teachers, 223 were transferred
based on the requests of our legislative colleagues, and we were able to
facilitate their postings accordingly.”
He informed that 1,192 teachers have already joined their
new postings, while 458 are yet to report. Additionally, 449 representations
have been received requesting reconsideration of the transfers. However, he
stated that these requests would not be entertained and that the Cabinet’s
recommendation on the recent transfers is awaited, with a meeting scheduled
this month.
Clarifying the department’s position, the advisor stated
that the rules are in place and that the department is not violating any
regulations. He added that it is following best practices established by NCERT
and other educational frameworks.
Dr. Yhome also highlighted disparities in student-teacher
ratios across different districts. While Mon district has the highest ratio
with one teacher for every 13.9 students, Mokokchung has the lowest with one
teacher for every 4.18 students. Private schools generally have higher student-teacher
ratios compared to government institutions.
He noted that the 2025 census would provide crucial
information for educational planning. However, he pointed out discrepancies in
past census data particularly in Longleng, Kiphire, and Peren districts, where
significant population declines were recorded after they became districts in
2004.
“There are no mission schools in Nagaland. I say this
because, particularly in many villages, and I request all our honorable members
to discuss with public leaders, civil society, or even church bodies—the ruckus
of opening schools like, I’m sorry to mention this, but like some kind of
village shop. This has literally killed our school system,” he said.
He added that some religious organisations are opening schools
and stated that the department has given provisional recognition to all private
schools in Nagaland. However, he mentioned that stringent measures would soon
be implemented with government cooperation to regulate both private and
government schools.
Appealing for collective responsibility, Dr. Yhome urged
legislators and public organizations to ensure that children complete their
education in local schools instead of migrating to urban centers.
He further highlighted the applicability and efficiency of the
TAMS-SMILE App, stating that it is one of the best in the world. He emphasised
that the SMILE app provides real-time data stamping, irrespective of internet
connectivity, allowing the department to monitor schools digitally.
Meanwhile, in response to a starred question raised by MLA,
A Nyamnyei Konyak, regarding the transfer and posting of teachers, the
department stated that there is an existing policy for transferring and posting
teachers, dated December 17, 2017.
When asked whether the department consulted concerned MLAs
before transferring and posting teachers, it replied that there is no provision
under the Government Rules or the Nagaland School Education Service Rules,
2017, requiring consultation with MLAs.
Earlier, Legislator Nyamnyei and advisor Imkong L Imchen
also raised concerns during the discussion, calling for more rationality in the
transfer and posting of teachers.
