Razeba, April 26 (EMN): Minister for SchoolEducation & SCERT, Yitachu on Wednesday said the department of School Education is the richest department with 24% of the state budget being consumed by it while the rest 80 plus departments in the state are running their activities on 76% of the state budget.
Addressing the inaugural programme of the New Government High School (GHS) Building in Razeba, he impressed upon that it is important to realize why emphasis on budgetary provisions is given in this regard.
Pointing to the transformation brought about in the society with the dawn of education, he said that not only the state of Nagaland but the world over has given special emphasis on it while also asserting that, “education is the backbone of human civilization.”
He further stated that education does not only come from school institutions but also from home, church, social gatherings, work place, etc. He therefore stressed on the need for equal participation and interest of parents, society leaders, and general public as a whole to take equal responsibility in educating students.
In the meantime, stating that the school dropout rate is very high, the Minister disclosed that out of 3 students, 1 is a dropout, which, he added is not good for our Naga society. The failure, he said, is not of the education department or the teachers alone, but asserted that citizens have to share the responsibility equally.
Substantiating to this, he pointed to the success story of the cultivation of cabbage and potatoes (which Razeba area is especially known for), and said that these vegetables cannot grow by themselves but need daily care and nurturing. “Education is just like that”, he said while emphasizing that students need constant nurturing.
“We need to take the education system seriously to end the dropout rate”, he further added and urged upon doing away with opening new schools or upgradation of schools only for the sake of job opportunities and not for the purpose of quality education. “Only then, we can fulfill our vision” of eliminating the dropout rate, he said.
He also highlighted that there is a huge shortage of Math and Science teachers in the state and in this connection, called upon every institution/ VEC in Nagaland to report the shortage of teachers in these subjects to the department.
Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu noted that the first batch of the GHS Razeba achieved nil result in the HSLC examinations (2013) but had secured better results in the following year(s) and in this regard stated hope that the school will continue to maintain the standard of school education.
Further urging the students to study hard, and especially stressing on Mathematics and Science, he disclosed that students who secure distinction in these two subjects will be awarded.
In his short speech, Khazi Lea, President of Razeba Public Organisation (RPO) highlighted what Razeba was 50 years ago and what it is today while impressing upon that the school that grew from humble beginnings has brought about social reformation, economic development, spiritual education and also built better relationship amongst the 3 villages in the area.
Senokhape Chirie, Headmaster informed that the Government Middle School was upgraded to Government High School in 2010. Since then, the enrolment has been increasing, he said and further enlightened that the school has a teaching staff of 19 and 3 grade IV staff. He also gave a brief highlight of performance of the school in the last 5 years.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Moa Lemtur, NCS, SDO (Civil), Chizami Subdivision, Phek district. Vizo Pohena, Pastor, Razeba Baptist Church said the invocation while Bunyi Zholia, AHM proposed the vote of thanks and Rev. Fr. James Sangtam said the benediction. Special songs were also presented by the students of Razeba GHS and St. John School Students, Razeba.
To mark the inaugural of the new school building, the Minister for School Education & SCERT, Yitachu also cut the ribbon and unveiled the monolith.
A host of dignitaries including officials from the school education department, officers from Razeba area, village leaders from Zhavame, Zelome and Tsüpfume, student leaders, etc attended the inaugural programme.
