DIMAPUR — The Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF) on Monday said that issues such as teacher shortages, delayed salary payments and inadequate infrastructure are some of the major obstacles to providing quality education in the eastern Nagaland region.
In a statement, the ENSF said that it had embarked on an extensive tour of schools in the region, from July 29 to August 7, to understand the challenges faced by students and educators. “The findings from this tour have brought to the forefront several critical issues that demand immediate attention and action,” it said.
One of the most alarming findings, the ENSF said, was the significant shortage of teaching staff in many schools across the region, impacting the quality of education and the learning experience of students.
The federation appealed to the concerned department and the state government to take immediate action to address the issue by initiating and expediting the recruitment process to fill these critical vacancies.
The student body also said that the delay in salary payments has been causing considerable financial hardship to teachers, affecting not only their personal and family needs, but also undermine their motivation and morale.
“When teachers are forced to contend with financial insecurity, their ability to focus on teaching and engage with students is compromised. Timely salary payments are a fundamental right and essential for the well-being of teachers,” it said, while urging the department and state government to prioritise the timely disbursement of teachers' salaries.
Furthermore, it said that the tour highlighted severe issues related to school infrastructure.
Stating that most schools are operating in conditions that are ‘far from normal,’ the ENSF observed that many schools are in desperate need of infrastructural repairs and up-gradation.
The lack of proper facilities, such as adequate classrooms, sanitation and learning resources, creates an environment that is not conducive to effective teaching and learning, it added.
Noting the delay in providing student uniforms and textbooks, the ENSF went on to state that timely distribution of these essential resources is crucial, adding that many students have faced difficulties due to the untimely release of such basic items.
The ENSF urged the authorities to streamline the process for distributing uniforms and textbooks in time and to ensure that students receive these resources promptly.
Meanwhile, the federation observed that the district-level and state-level teacher training programmes are indirectly affecting students by disrupting regular classes.
“Frequent and extended training sessions often resulted in reduction of allotted time slot of teaching, which negatively impacts students’ learning experiences,” it said while stressing the need for balancing professional development with classroom instruction.
More emphasis should be placed on maximising time for classroom teaching to ensure that students receive continuous and uninterrupted learning, it said.
The ENSF said that it would continue to monitor these issues closely and work with relevant stakeholders to seek solutions.
It also urged all teachers in the eastern Nagaland region to diligently perform their duties and responsibilities.