Intention was not to deny opportunities, says Advisor Yhome

DIMAPUR — Nagaland advisor for School Education and SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome addressed the recent controversy regarding his statements about the employment prospects of the Ao and Sumi community in primary teaching positions.

In a statement on Friday, the advisor clarified that the intention was not to discriminate but rather to address linguistic diversity in education.

“The recent quagmire over my statement that Ao and Sumi (amongst more) may not be entrenched into Primary Teacher employment for the next ten years (or, so) transpired from a public consultative event and thereafter social simulation. The statistical analysis presented is interpretive of the facts and figures under the Department of School Education-in tandem with Service Rules 2017 and the plausible variant of linguistic teachers as envisaged under National Education Policy 2020,” Yhome clarified.

Emphasising that the exercise is in no way avowed to selectively deny opportunities to any tribe or tribes or qualified youth, Yhome assured that, “public policies are not formulated to be biased.”

“In the labyrinth of our linguistic diversity, which also celebrates our identities, it was never my intention to hurt anyone with the use of proper nouns,” he stated, urging for discernment and understanding.

“Rarely do we talk of a peaceful and honourable education solution- despite the awareness that this path can help realise our aspiration for the good life and a state of exception,” Yhome remarked.

“A just distribution based on respect and collective care is vital for the present and imperative for the future,” he said, expressing appreciation for the positive public consciousness that emerged from the row.