Aghünaqa students’ body cautions Nagaland Govt of shutting schools

•    Cries foul over teachers transfer 
•    Says transferred without replacement
•    Demands annulment of transfer orders
•    Warns of prohibiting schools from reopening

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 28

The Aghünaqa Area Students’ Union (AASU) has cautioned the Nagaland state government of shutting down government schools in the Aghünaqa area. The cautioning came in the backdrop of the Education Department affecting the transfer of teachers from government schools in the area, allegedly, alongwith post.  

AASU President, Ikato Khulu, made the announcement on December 28 at a press conference coinciding with the union’s annual conference held in Ghoshito village, Niuland. “Our demand is this: The government should provide the required number of teachers to the schools in the area. Until and unless they fulfill this demand, every government school in the area will remain closed,” Khulu said. 

He added that none of the government schools in the area will be allowed to reopen for the 2023 academic session and the affected students will become the responsibility of the government.

The Aghunaqa area comprises some 38 villages, around 34-35 of which has government schools. According to the AASU, the area has 1 high school, 2 middle schools and the remaining are primary schools with a combined teacher total of around 120-130. 

This total, however, is inadequate and way below the required number, Khulu held. As per the norm, a primary school is assigned atleast 7 teachers and a middle school assigned atleast 13 teachers. 

“In June, we conducted a tour of the schools in the area. It was shocking to note that all the schools were running without adequate number of teachers. Some schools were even having combined classes to make up for the shortage of teachers,” he said. 

Asked to name a school in the area failing the norm, he cited the Government Primary School, Ghoshito, which has only three teachers at present. “This school had 6 teachers prior to June-July (2022) following which one was transferred. Three more transfers followed as per an order issued on December 19,” he said.  

According to him, since January, this year, several government schools in the area have seen the transfer of teachers, purportedly on account of the “rationalization policy,” without replacement.  He named schools in villages like Tokishe, Jekishe, Mughavi, Yetoho, P. Vihoto, Pihekhu, Nitozu where transfers were affected allegedly without replacement in June-July, followed by the latest in December more villages. 

Asked whether the alleged transfers without replacement have been politically motivated, he said, “I can’t say whether the teachers want to teach in Aghünaqa area or the government is transferring randomly.” While the government has affected a teacher rationalization policy, he said that most of the teachers were transferred to more convenient areas falling under Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima. 

“They are affecting the rationalization policy by way of transferring teachers from schools where there are relatively less students to more populous schools.” However, he said that a school is a school irrespective of headcount. 

“The issue is not about less or more students. No matter the number of students, a school is a school and every student has the right to education, as per the Constitution,” he maintained, while questioning the government’s perceived neglect of the Aghünaqa area. “Concentrate on the remote areas, too. If you have to develop remote areas, you have to strengthen the schools,” he said. 

He further said that there have been instances of teachers attached to non-teaching roles in the District Education offices, while schools in the area are facing teacher shortage, 

Furthermore, he informed that the respective villages in the area will not furnish ‘No Objection Certificate’ to the transfer orders.  
“The transfer of the teachers has to be revoked and their posting in the Aghünaqa area retained. That is our demand. Secondly, adequate number of teachers has to be deployed in the schools where there is shortage of teachers,” he reiterated.  

The Aghunaqa GBs Association (AKK) further extended support to the student body’s resolution and demand. AKK President, Heshito V Awomi held that the state government is playing with the lives of students. “The government is blaming the villages and School Management Committees, but in reality, the department is to be blamed. They make the guidelines but do not follow it as a result of which we are lagging.”

He said that if the teachers posted to Aghünaqa do not want to teach in the area, “They may resign and the government may appoint the educated unemployed youths of the area in their place.”