Will it lead to quality education?
Dr. Asangba Tzüdir
The recent three days mass casual leave agitation spearheaded by ANSTA and NSSFOF demanding for bifurcation of secondary/elementary education from higher secondary is based on their ‘rationalization’ that such bifurcation will lead to quality education. This ‘rationalization’ can be taken as the premise in understanding the demand for bifurcation. Reading through the paper reports, ANSTA and NSSFOF, on the ‘need’ and demand for bifurcation, highlighted the “differences of entry point, academic session, cadres, seniority, proportional channels, and mode of appointment between the higher secondary and secondary, elementary and primary cadres so as to promote smooth functioning and efficient management of the department towards quality and systematic education in the state.” It further stated that the different entry points into service have given a higher advantage to Higher Secondary teachers in matters of promotion, which is disproportionate; and since the cadre, seniority and promotional channel of the two cadres is different, they cannot be clubbed up together to work under one roof and there can be no meeting point in the service journey. This indeed is not only revealing but also quite a telling state of affairs. On the lines of freedom from interferences, there seems to a certain form of ‘ego’ clash as suggested by the demand for segregation of the two cadres in order that they can function independently without encroaching in each other’s areas or interfering in each other’s affairs.
From the above pointers, one can simply conclude that the demand for bifurcation is mainly on the lines of ‘territorial trespassing’ besides other things related to seniority, promotion, etc. The clash of ‘egos’ is made more conspicuous from the allegation made by the federation leading the agitation that, “cadres of higher secondary were always trying to capture the secondary section by ways of directing, interfering and supervising the chapter as if the secondary cadre officers are not competent to handle their affairs” while at the same time maintaining that the secondary/elementary section have never interfered with the affairs of higher secondary section. Further, this allegation is upfront that, every time the secondary/elementary cadres go for agitation for non-fulfillment of their genuine demand, the Nagaland Government Higher Secondary School Employees’ Association (NGHSSEA) under the leadership of a “mere officer of 8 years in departmental service will always play dirty game/childish game to please the government and to sabotage and dislodge our demand.”
Well, the forces are quite compelling, and the question raised by Yitachu, Minister of School Education & SCERT, on whether ‘bifurcation is a requirement’ while at the same time opining that it is not appropriate, should be taken as the point of reference for further deliberation because bifurcation cannot happen overnight, if at all it is justified. Nevertheless, the question of justification for bifurcation should be viewed from the vantage point of delivering quality education which has been their highlight though overshadowed by issues of ‘territorial trespassing’ besides other things like seniority, promotion, etc. As one can see, the issues related to this demand for bifurcation, which has been on for the last 13 years, needs to be duly addressed in the larger interest of the education system so that the students are not sandwiched in between nor left at the receiving end of their egoistic game of what can be briefly summarized as ‘ego clash.’
For now, the whole system needs a complete revamping beginning with the ethical and professional integrity of the teachers if at all schools are to deliver quality education. Having said that, what is needed is to have the necessary bases for systems support.
The three days agitation on the demand for bifurcation has immensely affected students in 2069 government schools across the state if calculated in terms of working hours lost. This calls for a serious deliberation on the question of, whether bifurcation will lead to quality education, and whether it is really a necessity.
(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)
