NLA Deputy Speaker advocates for Science education
NLA Deputy Speaker advocates for Science education
Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, S Toiho Yeptho, called upon the officers to encourage children to pursue science education in Zunheboto district.
DIMAPUR — The
Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, S Toiho Yeptho, on Friday
urged officials to encourage children in Zunheboto district to pursue science
education. He cited Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, as an example that
receives thousands of applications each year.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the District Planning and
Development Board (DPDB) in Zunheboto town, Yeptho stated, “As responsible
officers, we should inspire our children to pursue science education within our
district.” He questioned why Zunheboto does not see the same interest that
Kohima Science College does and proposed inviting the principals of all private
higher secondary schools in the district to future meetings to discuss the
issue.
S Toiho Yeptho and Dharam Raj along with other officials
during the DPDB meeting in Zunheboto town on Friday.
“We must not deprive our children of quality education. We
need to build their confidence to seek admission to institutes of higher
learning,” Yeptho emphasised. He pointed out that Mokokchung has three
government colleges and three private colleges, while Zunheboto has only one
struggling government college.
“We need to earn the trust of the people, as education is
the backbone of society,” he added.
The deputy commissioner (DC) of Zunheboto, Dharam Raj, who
presided over the meeting, mentioned that science is not limited to Biology or
Chemistry; it also includes foundational disciplines like Mathematics and
English.
He also mentioned about the recent upgrades made to the DC's
conference hall, which now features a state-of-the-art sound system, projectors
and other facilities.
A DIPR report stated that both Yeptho and the deputy
commissioner emphasised the importance of attendance at DPDB meetings, warning
that absentee department heads would not be tolerated.
Additionally, Dr. Sukhato A Sema, MLA of 13 Pughoboto AC,
shared that his constituency has initiated an educational trust offering free
admission to students in classes 8, 9, and 10, leading to increased enrollment.
Addressing the issue of inadequate power supply at Zunheboto
Government College, he suggested adopting clean energy sources like solar
power, which the Nagaland Power Department is promoting. He encouraged the
college to submit proposals for a dedicated transformer system.
Dr. Sukhato also highlighted three key areas for district
progress: quality education, healthcare, and economic development. He further
requested the Zunheboto District Hospital to submit a formal proposal for the
establishment of a College of Nursing to a union minister, who is expected to
visit the district soon.
In a powerpoint presentation, the vice principal of
Zunheboto Government College, Jekugha Sema, discussed challenges faced by the
IGNOU study center, which is at risk of closure due to low student enrollment.
He informed that the college currently has 208 students in
the first semester, with expectations of more admissions into the third and
fifth semesters after the results are declared. He further emphasised the need
to introduce a B.Ed. course under the current FYUGP curriculum, as well as the
inclusion of a science stream.
In response, the board urged the college to submit proposals
to the Power Department for a separate transformer and to the Higher Education
Department for the introduction of the B.Ed. program.
The senior principal of GHSS, Zunheboto, Kughazhe Swu,
raised concerns about low student enrollment in the lone institution offering a
science stream.
The meeting also addressed the REDD+ Project, a 50-year
carbon credit initiative under the UNFCCC aimed at boosting the economy while
promoting forest conservation, sustainability, and clean energy.
In conclusion, the district administration has proposed a
visionary agenda called 'Viksit Zunheboto' for the next DPDB meeting.
