Government Higher Secondary School Aghunato, established in 1963, currently facing an acute shortage of teachers as highlighted by the Eastern Sumi Students’ Union.
ESSU issues ultimatum to School Education Dept
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 19 (MExN): The Eastern Sumi Students’ Union (ESSU) has issued an ultimatum to the Directorate of School Education, Nagaland, over what it described as “acute shortage of teachers” at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Aghunato. In a letter addressed to the Principal Director, the Union said it was compelled to issue the ultimatum “given the inaction despite multiple appeals.”
The Union stated that GHSS Aghunato, established in 1963, is one of the oldest schools in Nagaland and caters to students from more than 50 villages under ADC Aghunato sub-division, including a large number of students from the Yimkhiung Naga community in Aghunato town and neighbouring villages. Despite its significance, it said, “the school is pathetic and deplorable.”
According to ESSU, the school currently has an enrolment of 209 students—93 in the pre-university section and 116 in the high school section. However, the Higher Secondary section has only five Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs), while the High School section has four Graduate Teachers (GTs), one Physical Training teacher and one Under Graduate Hindi Teacher.
In particular, the Union highlighted the absence of an English teacher in the High School section since 2019. “It must be noted that there ought to be at least three Graduate Teachers to teach English, Alti-English and Grammar considering the vastness of the syllabus and the number of classes from class VI to X,” it said. Due to the shortage, “more than 20 students from Yimkhiung community are compelled to opt for Sütsa instead of Alt-English, adversely affecting their choice in optional subject and linguistic skills,” the letter added. “Doesn’t your authority recognize the necessity of deputing an English teacher for the school?”
It also pointed out that one GT (Mathematics) was deployed during the recent rationalization exercise, but “his health condition does not permit him to conduct normal classes effectively. Hence, the students cannot depend on the service of the teacher without his replacement or appointment of a new Mathematics Teacher.”
Further, the Union said that although the school was upgraded to Higher Secondary level in 2015, “so far no PGT Economics has been appointed. Does the authority imply that it is unnecessary for our students to learn Economics? How long will the students be deprived of their right?”
The ESSU submitted a charter of demands to be addressed within 20 days from the date of publication of the ultimatum. These include the deployment of at least three GTs to teach English and the deployment or replacement of one GT (Mathematics). The Union warned, “The Union shall take its own course of action if the Government fails to address the above charter of demands within stipulated time.”
Additionally, it appealed for the appointment of one PGT (Economics) before the commencement of the next academic session and for the immediate appointment of a Principal, noting that the previous Principal was transferred earlier this year without a reliever.
