DIMAPUR, AUGUST 4 (MExN): The All Nagaland Government Primary Teachers Association (ANGPTA) has written to the Commissioner and Secretary, School Education and SCERT urging that the proposed Limited Departmental Examinations to be conducted by the NPSC in September, 2022, go ahead.
A press release from the ANGPTA appreciated the decision to implement Rule 15 of The Nagaland School Education Service Rules, 2017, by conducting the Limited Departmental Examinations through the NPSC. “This has been a long-awaited career progression opportunity for many capable teachers, who once selected, would strengthen the administrative set-up of the department, which otherwise is in a limbo for want of officers due to some obvious reasons,” it stated.
The ANGPTA termed it unfortunate that some section of teachers chose to oppose this decision “when the department is trying its best to restore the smooth functioning of the school administration.” It accused them of “unethically” trying to undermine the stature of primary teachers in order to advance their cause.
It said that the ANGPTA has “never equated our scale of pay with any other cadres but this has not deterred the primary teachers from diligently teaching higher classes in many schools, especially in rural areas.”
The association said that the Limited Departmental Exam is open to all eligible teachers, irrespective of cadres and its purpose is to select the most capable persons to strengthen the department.
It further opined that “D.El.Ed is a comprehensive two-year professional teachers course that cannot be completed without burning the midnight lamp therefore, it cannot be termed as ‘soft-earned’ professional course.” The ANGPTA said that the NCTE Act, 2014 does not undermine the D.El.Ed course.
It added that the Department of School Education has evolved thus far and must continue to evolve in the future to meet the challenges of contemporary society.
The association meanwhile also pointed to the government order dated September 29, 2021 regarding the eligibility criteria for filling up the post of AHM/JEO under the School Education Department, and requested the department to clarify the status of this order so as to avoid any confusion in future.
