Nagaland’s Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, addressing students of government schools, sought to dispel what he described as a damaging narrative that private school students inherently perform better than their government school counterparts.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of PM SHRI Government High School, DC Colony, Peren, on May 9, Zeliang urged students not to “harbour an inferiority complex” and instead focus on discipline, hard work, and a drive for excellence. “There is a common narrative in the state that private school students are better, which is a wrong perception,” he said, adding that government school teachers are in fact “more qualified, better trained, and better paid.”
The golden jubilee comes at a time when public schools in the state continue to grapple with infrastructure challenges and declining enrolment in many rural pockets. Yet, PM SHRI GHS DC Colony has seen a different trajectory. From its modest beginnings in 1975 as a Government Primary School, the school was upgraded to a High School in 2021—a milestone Zeliang described as the result of “sheer dedication and discipline.”
“It took the school 33 years to move from a Primary to a Middle School, and only 13 years to be upgraded to a High School,” Zeliang noted, calling the achievement a testament to the commitment of teachers and the trust of the local community.
Zeliang also called on government school teachers to “rededicate” themselves to their profession and “not neglect their noble responsibility,” urging them to adopt modern teaching methods and instill values that would prepare students to become “change-makers” in their communities.
“Gone are the days when passing exams and obtaining certificates alone were enough to secure a livelihood,” he said. “Teachers must inspire students not just to seek jobs, but to become good human beings who lead and transform society.”
Zeliang also suggested the needs to urgently relook into deployment and rationalization of teachers in govt schools across the state, so that none of the school is left with shortage of teaching staff.
The event, which also saw the participation of Advisor for School Education & SCERT Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome as guest of honour, was marked by speeches from several dignitaries including Peren Deputy Commissioner Hiazu Meru and representatives from the Zeliang Students’ Union.
Dr. Yhome, who has been vocal about overhauling the education system in Nagaland, was described by Zeliang as a “young and dynamic leader” who is “deeply committed to transforming the education landscape” of the state.
Zeliang encouraged the school community to actively engage with the department to seek the support needed for further growth.