‘Is Nagaland’s education relevant? Students debate

[caption id="attachment_272895" align="aligncenter" width="565"] L-R: Principal of Sazolie College Dr. Kangzangding Thou, first runner-up Seyiekhrienuo, winner Kazia Zhimo, and Dr. Narola Dangti pose for a photograph on Saturday after a debate competition in Kohima.[/caption] Our Correspondent Kohima, Sep. 21 (EMN): Kazia Zhimo from Capital College in Kohima argued successfully that the ‘education system in Nagaland is relevant,’ to rise above sixteen competitors representing various colleges from the state, at the 14th inter-collegiate debate competition that was conducted on September 21. Sazolie College at Jotsoma near Kohima gives the platform to college students annually to express their perspectives and opinions. The 14th edition had 16 debaters from across the state, each passionately volleying their perspectives in the fully packed college auditorium. The treasury benched said that the education system has ‘positive impact’ in that it ‘liberates and delivers gender equality,’ among other social equalities. They explore the achievements of the Right to Education Act 2009 stating that it increased the literacy rate of the state. The speakers advised the gathering against wallowing on the problem of unemployment. They called it a ‘universal problem that even the developed countries try to solve.’ Likewise, they advised against ‘self-defeat.’ Instead, they need to explore other possibilities through creativity, the speakers urged. One speaker wondered, “If it is not relevant, why are we here today” and said that the education system in Nagaland was ‘relevant’ as it ‘pushes students to excel.’ The strong opposition on the other hand also had sufficient points of counter points that the education system was not relevant. They said that the education system had failed miserably that the state is now the home of one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. It has become a place of dejected unemployed youths, they argued. A speaker from the opposition said that the present education system follows the British education policy, which focussed only on ‘creating clerks,’ and not on moral and other skill education. The opposition said that the system of education emphasises on ‘disciplining,’ and it had failed to create responsible citizens of the society. They argued that social equality was just a theoretical concept that creates huge social gaps, which they said their opponents must accept as a failure. The competition was worth the attendance for the audience. It revealed the views of the college students about the present system of education in the state. The treasury bench won the debate competition with 1,299 points while the opposition trailed near with 1,264 points. Kazia Zhimo of Capital College, the winner, won a citation and a cash of INR 10,000. Seyiekhrienuo from St. Joseph College in Kohima and Ningtoulung from Tetso College in Dimapur were adjudged the first runner-up and second runner-up, in that order. They received a citation with INR 7,500 and INR 5000, in that order. Five consolation winners were Chongboi of Modern College; Pushoi Chuba of Kohima College; Jisen Kath and Ruyota Thira of Sazolie College and Seigoulum of Shalom Bible Seminary.