Dr. Asangba Tzüdir
Hope dissipates from a society that is depressingly filled with problems and negativities of all sorts. Within such realities, it often leads one to a summary conclusion not to expect or hope that tomorrow will be better than today.
This has happened to our society because we are just too quick to point out the fault and failures of others rather than realizing one’s own duty and responsibility.
A depressingly problematic sector among the many is the deplorable condition of Govt. schools in our state. The problems are one too many and it is collectively deteriorating the overall pedagogical health of the government run schools in Nagaland. The performance of the govt. schools as seen through the recently declared NBSE result elucidates such resultant ailment.
Throughout the year, the government and the department concerned have been pinpointed for the lack of proper infrastructure, delay or non-payment of teacher’s salary. The absence of proper infrastructure has acted as a logjam and has only instigated further impediments. One may find it surprising that some govt. school exists only in paper as the school buildings are either partially or fully in dilapidated conditions which is one demotivating factor for any teacher to teach with full enthusiasm. These ‘lack’ has been the highlight when it comes to problems related to the existing status of govt. Schools in the state.
The presence of proper infrastructure is integral to delivering quality education so also to function like a proper school. Yet, on the other hand, a school cannot be strictly considered as a school without a ‘proper’ teacher. The presence of adequate infrastructure will no doubt enhance quality and performance but to generate desired results rests in the hands of the teachers. There are pressing concerns regarding the culture of keeping proxy teachers, teacher absenteeism and irregularities. These are demotivating factors for the other dedicated teachers besides the adverse effects it has on the school. Comparatively, the Govt. Schools teachers are paid well than the private school teachers and enjoy more ‘non-working days’ besides much lesser working hours. As a teacher, a distinction needs to be drawn between ones moral foundation and self-interest. That, teaching profession and being a teacher should not be taken as an end of earning a livelihood but should take it up with a sense of responsibility knowing that the life and future of the students rests with the teacher. There may be times when, as teachers, problems and challenges needs to be confronted even if it means sacrificing one’s comfort zone.
Thus, in the profession of teaching, a ‘moral responsibility’ should precede self-interest as well as the callous attitude towards the profession. This has been found wanting in govt. schools.
The ultimate mark of a teacher rests in teaching deep from the heart, which will lead to building a strong relationship with the students and thereby creating a healthy mental wavelength in generating interest and enhance their learning capacities and broaden their vision. As such, teachers can have the most profound impact on the students. It is therefore a tragedy to have incapacitated teachers without any calling and vision entering this noble profession for the sake of one’s survival; and also the not so dedicated and those that offers ‘illegal employment’ by keeping proxy.
Govt. schools have a long way to go when it comes to result oriented quality education. The ailing govt. schools can be solved only by addressing the problems and needs of each school and one that is action oriented. Stringent measures too, needs to be adopted. For this, a collective effort is required starting from the department concerned, the teachers, parents, students and the active participation of the community at large. This calls for sincerity and owning a sense of responsibility, and a committed approach towards providing quality education to the students.
(Dr. Asangba Tzüdir is Editor with Heritage Publishing House. He writes a weekly guest editorial for the Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
