Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 5
Minister for School Education & SCERT, Yitachu while paying reverence to the noble profession of teaching on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, said the state’s education sector is riddled with various problems and teachers alone can bring about positive change if they sincerely and honestly perform and attend to their noble professional goal.
Asserting that the greatest need for the society to progress today is to speak the truth, the minister candidly highlighted areas of major concern that are shrouding the education department. He pointed out that it has surfaced in public discussions that in order to earn good names as a teacher and for the school, cases of malpractices while conducting exams are being reported. “This is a very dangerous trend and it will destroy our society instead of doing good,” he said.
Yitachu also expressed apprehension over the opening of new schools and upgrading existing ones to solve unemployment problem, and he observes that if this practice is not put to a stop it will destroy the very foundation of providing true education to the citizens. He stated that the department of school education must aim at building up human resource development by imparting value-based knowledge and education and not just qualification certificate, and the opening of new schools and appointment of teachers should be aimed solely at providing quality education to every section of the society.
Some of the cases of major concern which the minister pointed out include the exercise of cadre review, not being able to release timely salaries of CSS employees, wrong justification of vacancy availability and appointing teachers thereby resulting in excess employees, promoting of students to higher class without teaching and attending classes, teachers not present in their place of posting and resorting to self-substitute, the village education committee (VEC) sharing the salary of the teachers by granting leave to stay away from their posting, fake enrolment to prevent the school from being closed down, bifurcation of schools leading to extra requirements of funds for school buildings and teachers and requiring additional lands leading to demand of Grade-IV posts by landowners and creating problems for smooth conduct of the schools, in-fighting between various associations, seeking attachment in office to stay away from teaching, teachers sending their children to private schools and neglecting the children of the poor and weaker sections of our society, etc.
On the attempt of the department at rationalization of schools, Yitachu said information seeking to furnish for this major exercise has been circulated three months back, however, he lamented “till today information are not forthcoming”. Towards this, he said directives are being issued to stop salary to those SDEOs where information is still pending. He underscored that it is necessary to address all the issues that are being faced by the department together.
“As we celebrate Teachers’ Day today, I appeal to all the teachers and employees of the school education department to rededicate our commitment and come together in a concerted effort to redress the issues that confront us today so that we can build our upcoming younger generation to effectively tackle broader issues like global warming and climate change, terrorism and violation of human rights, dreaded diseases like HIV and AIDS, cancer and social insecurity,” the minister stated.
He urged upon all the teachers to recommit themselves to teaching and in building a strong, prosperous and developed society in Nagaland.
Conveying the message of the Chief Minister TR Zeliang who was unable to attend the occasion due to an unavoidable meeting, he said the Chief Minister acknowledges the valuable contributions of teachers to the society. He conveyed that the role of teachers in every society, and at various stages and levels of civilization of mankind has always been pivotal.
Zeliang also acknowledged that the department of school education, one of the largest departments in the state has since its inception undergone many changes and the literacy rate increased from 14% at the time of formation of the state to more than 80% now, while government educational institutions increased from 956 to 3299 and number of teachers grew from 2554 to 27904. He mentioned that there are more than 500 registered private schools, and the state has approximately 5 lakhs students enrolment both in government and private schools taken together.
The Chief Minister appreciated the contributions of private schools and their teachers towards improving the quality of education in Nagaland, who, despite constraints of infrastructure and lesser pay, have been producing excellent academic results year after year, much better than the government schools.
Zeliang also conveyed that besides 33 teachers who have been selected for the State Teachers’ Award for 2015 and two teachers for National Teachers’ Award, the state government has decided to give financial assistance to seven teachers who are undergoing serious medical treatment.
The state level Teachers’ Day programme, held at the NBCC Convention Centre Kohima, was attended by students from several schools in Kohima, officials of the DoSE, NBSE, SCERT, Naga Students’ Federation, ENSF, All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association, teachers and heads of institutions from across Nagaland.
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 5
Despite the “failure” of the Naga society in general to accord due respect and recognition to the services rendered by genuine teachers, the members of the teaching community here in Dimapur were on Saturday encouraged to keep working towards producing a society that upholds the principles of humanity.
This message was delivered by the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Kesonyu Yhome on the occasion of Teachers’ Day celebration here today at Christian Higher Secondary School Covenant Hall Dimapur. The DC, in his address, admitted that the Naga society has failed in a “big way” to recognize the efforts of teachers.
“As society continues to change, a section of society which can uphold the principles of humanity, is needed which can be contributed by the teaching community,” he shared. The DC urged upon the teaching community to become “conscience keepers of the society” as everyone expects their teachers to be role models.
He reminded the teachers that posterity will remember them through the lives they have lived. Also lamenting the failure of the society to acknowledge the contributions of the teachers, except during the occasion of Teachers’ Day, he assured that efforts will continue to place the teachers –who are indeed the builder of the society – in esteem with the respect that they deserve.
On the occasion, twenty six teachers in Dimapur were honored “for their relentless contribution in edifying the society through their vocation.” The Rotary Club Dimapur, in a maiden venture, also acknowledged the twenty six teachers honoring them with gifts.
