KOHIMA, MAY 25: The three-day state wide agitation called by the All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) and Nagaland Secondary Schools Field Officers Forum (NSSFOF) in observing mass casual leave for the graduate teachers and primary school teachers will continue even tomorrow as the meeting with the Minister of School Education, Yitachu failed to meet their demand.
In a marathon meeting of four hours with the minister of School Education at the office chamber of the Chief Secretary today, the core committee members of ANSTA and NSSFOF reiterated their demand for total bifurcation of elementary/ secondary schools from higher secondary schools. The minister, however, was resolute that bifurcation, at the moment, will not be possible.
The meeting ended with the education department proposing a framework agreement, with the decision to relook into the demand of the aggrieved teachers and get back to them with a draft notification in a week’s time.
However, the ANSTA and NSSFOF members said they will not immediately comply to the framework agreement proposed by the State government, citing reasons that the department concerned have failed to meet many of their commitments in the past. They also cited reasons that they have to reach out to all their members across the State.
The ANSTA and NSSFOF, though sharing their concern for the students who are at loss in not attending classes, sought from the government a written assurance, if at all they have to call off their agitation. The members also proposed to the government to set up a committee to look into their grievances.
Voicing against the move of total bifurcation, Yitachu cited three reasons. Firstly, he said bifurcation will go against the interest of the students; secondly against the policy of composite schools and thirdly, that it will be a wasteful expenditure. He went on to say that bifurcation is not in the interest of National Education Policy.
“Everyone should fit into the system. It is wrong when we want the system to fit into us,” Yitachu remarked while urging for mutual understanding to exist within the department.
He welcomed healthy interaction, as it is the best way to solve problems and understand one another.
“Why should we take an ugly turn when things don’t favour us?” he cornered the teachers who have initiated the State wide agitation.
The minister went on to say that the education department in the State is undergoing a transitional period. “Normally, when there is a transitional period, lots of problems and hiccup arises. This is the time where we also undergo trials and examinations,” he stated.
The ANSTA and NSSFOF, though were willing to relax a little bit on the demand of bifurcation, said they will stick to their demand until and unless the government issues a written notification.
“We also want the government to come out clearly as to how the administrative system would be set differently for the elementary schools and higher secondary schools. To this, they also highlighted the present working system of Principals and Headmasters in GHSS, which is one of their demands too.
Minister Yitachu, in the presence of Commissioner Secretary of School Education, FP Solo, agreed to amend the government notification dated 15th February, 2016. The meeting was also attended by Director or School Education, Wothungo Tsopoe and two additional directors of School Education.
