Dr. Asangba Tzudir
Among the various departments in the state, an integral department for the growth and development of human resources, more often ‘highlighted’ as one of the most corrupt department in the state, the department of School Education is one department which is not spared. From issues relating to mid-day meals, and with an action plan in hand, the focus has now shifted to proxy teachers.
In a move to cleanse the system of ‘appointing’ proxy teachers by regular employees, the Department of School Education (DoSE) has issued a directive to the ‘erring teachers’ to report immediately to their place of posting and send two photographs of them (one in front of the school and the other in the classroom teaching) via email to the department every working day. The department has further notified that failure to do the same would lead to initiation of strict disciplinary action to the extent of suspension/termination from service.
During a verification drive conducted by the DoSE in November last, it was found that 438 teachers from different districts in the state had ‘appointed’ proxy teachers in their place of posting in outright violation of Rule 4 of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968.
The ‘process’ of appointing proxy teachers can be likened to a ‘business of employment’ wherein there is scratching of each other’s back among those involved. There are also cases where proxy appointment is justified on the ground that the proxy teacher is more qualified as well as teaches better. However, such similar reasons and more is not the point. The point is, besides affecting the schools, keeping proxy teacher is ‘illegal’ wherein such an act contravenes Rule 4 of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968.
Considering the total number of teachers in the state, the present number of proxy teachers currently reported if correct is less. However, the directive that comes in the wake of the move against proxy teachers needs to go beyond the directive by ensuring that the directive given is adhered to strictly, if at all the move is to be fulfilled and respected.
Various Student Unions and groups as they have done earlier can continue to help the government towards ensuring that the various directives given by the department are followed by way of conducting surprise checks from time to time.
Even as the department of School Education is pinned at the pinnacle from time to time, various directives that seek to strengthen the various governmental system should also come into force for other departments as well especially departments like Police Department and Public Works department.
Besides working out on various change modalities towards cleansing the system in all the departments, another important aspect is that, in this age of technological revolution, the role of technology should fully come into force so as to ensure that human resource output is maximized to the fullest. On a positive note, change is time taking but it is slowly happening.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
