In solidarity with students to reform education system in Nagaland
Even as the structural challenges in the education system of Nagaland remain daunting with no quick-fix solution, it is heartening to note a few recent students’ initiatives demanding the government to take action against teachers failing to discharge their duties.
The All Sumi Students Union and the Zunheboto Range Students’ Union, the Eastern Nagaland College Students Union, the Hurong Village Students Union, the Kiphire Tuensang Districts Sumi Students Union, the Suruhuto Range Students Union – to name a few – have taken upon themselves the responsibility to stand-up for their rights.
Insignificant as they may seem, they give a glimmer of hope as they sow the seed for bigger things in the future. History bears witness of students who recognize their own strength and demonstrate the willingness to fight for their rights. These initiatives have the potential of creating a snowball effect.
The demand for actions against rampant cases of teacher absenteeism, the illegal practice of engaging proxy teachers and the culture of transfer of teachers along with post and other related issues are not new to Nagaland, but once again it drives home the point that as the more things change, the more they remain the same.
The issues raised by the students’ bodies have been plaguing our education system for many years now. We have created a system that is neither sustainable nor can it create an ecosystem geared towards imparting quality education.
By the government’s own admission, Nagaland has about 10,000 excess teachers. With such numbers, we should not have the problem of shortage of teachers but the paradox is that, on paper, Nagaland appears to have the best pupil-teacher ratio (PTR), but in reality, teachers’ absenteeism and the culture of proxy teachers rule the roost.
The PTR norm looks even more precarious when we take a closer look. In some government schools, the number of teachers is more than the number of students. Whereas, there are schools with no enrollment of students but teachers are deployed. These imbalances and anomalies have emerged as a result of unabated recruitment of teachers and allowing transfer of teachers along with their post over the years.
The Department of School Education (DoSe) has from time to time issued directives for strict disciplinary action, including suspension/termination of service against teachers illegally keeping proxy teachers in their place of posting.
Against this backdrop, the public has the right to know what actions have been taken by the government to address these long-standing issues.
l What steps have been taken to downsize the excess teachers?
l What measures have been initiated to streamline the recruitment process of teachers?
l What disciplinary actions have been taken against teachers found failing to discharge their duties?
l What mechanisms have been instituted to monitor and check illegal practice of proxy teachers?
The Naga Rising would like to urge student bodies to demand accountability of the school management committees, the DoSE and the Technical Education Department as they are the key stakeholders with powers vested in them to ensure the proper functioning of schools and colleges.
The Naga Rising stands in full solidarity with the students’ demands and hopes that the growing proactive role of students to fight for their rights marks the beginning of cleaning up the mess in our education system.
Issued in public interest by The Naga Rising
Dated: March 23, 2022