Rejoinder to Eyekowe, PS to Minister School Education & SCERT

I don’t believe in paper wars but I believe in realistic handling of issues. I have mentioned earlier that my write-up was based on media report dated June 9, 2016 that reported ‘“In a strongly worded appeal, minister of School Education and SCERT, Yitachu has asked all those in the School Education department deploying “substitute teachers” against their posts to resign by June 30 or be dismissed from service and face legal action”’. The question here is not about whether or not you accompanied minister that day. Mr. Eyekowe, PS to Minister School Education & SCERT may kindly refer to press statement above. Isn’t the sentence meant for all teachers who are keeping substitute teachers? Or is my English reading or understanding a culprit? ? Had you stuck to media report or put in plain words that Honourable Minister’s statement was misquoted, I would have said that was reasonable and readily acceptable. But you have directly labeled my article as “False Allegation” (“It is therefore while appreciating the view expressed by Kuholy Chishi Dimapur such false allegation should not be printed in the media”) and for which I am compelled to give rejoinder to your statement. Let me not hang on to freedom of speech syndrome, rather, let us be clear that media is not meant for people in politics alone but every newspaper has a page for public opinion. As much as you enjoy your right to expression, I too have mine as concerned citizen and it is citizens’ right. The main focus of my write-up was a call to apply same yardstick to all OUT OF SCHOOL TEACHERS but unfortunately it has turned into allergy. Did I object the minister’s call of action against those holding dual post such as PT LDA, GT PGT in anyway? If you have read the second para of my write-up, I appreciated the bold step being taken by the minister towards streamlining Education Department for improving academic result of the Government-run schools. Who are called substitute teachers according to you? All substitute teachers are OUT OF SCHOOL TEACHERS. Why? Because they are not classroom teachers. They have deployed substitute against their post. Where have I gone wrong in saying this? If original teacher is being replaced by someone, we call them substitute teachers, proxy teachers and alternate teachers. By the way, why now reverse/rewind the statement that Hon’ble minister made by euphemizing as though only for teachers holding dual posts when the newspaper clearly reported for “all those in the School Education department deploying “substitute teachers” against their posts”. Please see first paragraph of Post Dated June 9, 2016. The rejoinder also stated that attachment of teachers has been done following certain procedure that reads “As far as substitute and attachment are concerned, there are procedural aspect and cannot be totally banned”. How come there’s a procedure for substitute as well? Also, may I ask you to furnish procedure details and valid reasons for attached teachers should they stay away from teaching profession and join office as Office Assistants or Dealing Assistants. If your minister has not attached any teacher as stated by you, whom are you speaking for? Please visit all 11 districts of DEO & SDEO offices. I have seen with my eyes that the establishments are flooded with attached teachers. Many of them have no file, no table and no chair even to sit but comfortably drawing salary for decades whereas, the cry for shortage of teachers has gone to deaf ears. But your justification of minister’s speech is said to be meant for only those holding more than one post. Those were the days when my cousin was still an officer in the Directorate, Education department attempted to clear the mess of random attachment of teachers to Directorate Kohima, SDEO and DEO offices in the state. Whether or not it was successful, everyone appreciated it. But attachments continue to prevail due to state VIP’s pressure. Can we imagine how high the number of attached teachers might have climbed up by now? I’m sure it would amaze general public but the PS still termed it “procedural aspect and cannot be totally banned”. Your justification looks like Education Offices all over Nagaland still need teachers. I don’t know you personally Mr. Eyekowe, you may or may not be at par with other PS when it comes to exercising and earning and I’m not charging you personally here. But generally speaking, some are well mannered but some PS go to various offices and kind of ordering or imposing force on gazette officers senior to them. This is how the process of teacher attachment, district transfer etc. had been done in political will so far. PS won’t not ask money himself but they know for sure they will be rewarded handsomely for performing magic. Appointments for various posts are usually sold by fixing certain amount and in most cases, candidates do not meet PS personally but channelized through middleman. I know few from my side as well as some from friends’ family as they have done it already. Out of 11 districts, so far only Peren district has raised objection against backdoor appointments. A list of 16 teachers appointed from June 2015 to March 2016 was submitted to the Director of School Education by Zeliangrong Students’Union requesting the department to cancel with 30 days (9 were from Phek district, 1 Rengma, 1 Sema , 1 Ao, and 4 Angami). Truth hurts but truth has to be told if necessary next time why not.? It’s not a correct statement to have said not a single person from Education Department is attached with elected members when I know some of them. If you still consider my statements as “false allegation” I shall come out with names of PGT, GT who left respective schools and attached with Minister of School Education and other elected members. Out of respect I have for them, I’ve refrained from furnishing their names for now. The habit of trying to shut the mouth of those who raise voice is becoming a habit in Nagaland, as though every truth has to be countered. Fortunately I’m not a Government employee to shiver 24x7 under those in power, hence, I have no appetite nor am i interested to withdraw whatever I have stated. Right to Education, where are you? B. Ed degree is required if one has to be a professional teacher under the Act. Let trained teachers continue work in office and let those keeping substitute/proxy teachers continue if only those holding dual post is at fault in the eye of law and the department. With full of justifications in rejoinder instead of pollution control, there’s no point of talking about quality education, better to continue mourning the death of HSLC result of Government schools in Nagaland. Let Nagaland remain a land of SURROGATE TEACHERS. Kuholy Chishi Dimapur