Our Reporter
Dimapur, July 31 (EMN): The advisor of School Education, KT Sukhalu, on Saturday expressed disappointment over many Naga youths going for higher studies ‘just for the sake of degrees’ without any aim in life.
He also warned that if this trend continues, “we will have a large number of unemployed youths in our state”.
Sukhalu was speaking at a felicitation-cum-award function for rank holders, subject toppers, selected teachers and schools with 100% result in the Nagaland Board of School Education examination 2021. The event was organised by the Commission for Education Diocese of Kohima (CEDOK) at Holy Cross Auditorium, Dimapur on Saturday.
As many as 26 subject toppers, 15 toppers from HSLC, six toppers from HSSLC and eight teachers were awarded with certificates, cash prizes and mementoes.
Sukhalu shared that some people seeking employment had approached him asking for help, stating that they were ‘soon going to be over-aged,’ and among them, many had completed degrees, but “it clearly indicated that they have no aim in life and today we have a large number of such categories of youth”.
He encouraged the toppers present at the programmes to work even harder to ensure that each of them carry forward the opportunities that they have been given so that the society as a whole will benefit from their contribution.
He also stated that any career could be fulfilling or tiresome depending on how one approaches it.
“If your intention is to contribute towards a better future, then you will always find a reason to show up and do your best; if however, your intentions are selfish, you will always find an excuse not to work,” he added.
Thanking the organisers, he stated that Catholic schools had stood the test of time across generations regarding imparting high standard of education and instilling discipline in the students.
“Likewise, our state has also greatly benefited from the Catholic institutions of education,” he said.
Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima and chairman of CEDOK, stated that for them, education was a mission and therefore, running of schools was not a profit enterprise “but rather we are here to serve the people in the best way possible”.
He shared that they give freedom to every school to give concessions to students or help needy families every year.
He stated that the source of investment was the sacrifices of the fathers and sisters as their salaries go to the church and only a few allowances are given to them for their sustenance. ‘The rest of the money is put together towards infrastructure for students,’ he added.
Shanavas C, Principal Director of School Education, told the gathering that when ‘dreams meet hard work, success comes.’
Reminding the students that it was just a segment of success, he said: ‘You have many more steps to go in your life.’
He encouraged the students to aim big and beat their counterparts at national and international level. While asking them not to be scared of venturing out to compete, he also advised them not to be overconfident ‘as discipline matters’.
‘Your life will be full of surprises but be ready to face it,’ he said.
He further encouraged the students not to forget their roots when they become someone in life “as it is equally important to give back to your society. One who forgets the roots, that success is not sustainable”.
Fr. Jacob Charalel, the secretary of CEDOK, stated that they have 106 schools in the state. He updated that 3711 students from 59 catholic schools appeared in the NBSE HSLC examinations this year, and 3523 students had qualified while 14 schools secured 100% pass percentage.
A total of 1976 students from 26 schools had appeared in HSSLC Arts stream and 1784 qualified while one school secured 100% pass percentage. In HSSLC Science stream, 490 students appeared from nine schools, out of which 476 qualified and one school secured 100% success. In HSSLC Commerce stream, 225 students from five schools appeared, out of which 200 qualified and one school secured 100% success, it was informed.
As many 15 students from Catholic schools were in the top 20 list of HSLC exams, while three candidates from HSSLC (Arts) and three from HSSLC (Science) made it to the top 10 list.