Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 12
Minister of School Education & SCERT, Yitachu on Friday categorically stated that the noble intention of the state government was to provide world-class quality education to the students and for which the teachers are paid handsome salaries.
He, however, pointed out that the teachers do not want to go to rural areas, adding, “If our personal interest is bigger than serving the nation/society, then it is wrong and we need to reorient ourselves.”
The Minister was speaking as the chief guest during the 65th anniversary of Dimapur Railway High School at the school premises. He said that the people talk too much about their rights but do not perform. “When it comes to rights, we take it to the streets but when it comes to duties and responsibilities, we act less and do less,” Yitachu added. He called for sincere discharge of responsibilities in all professions.
He pointed out the irony of rendering commendable services when people are paid less but their productivity comes down when they begin to get high salaries. “This reflects our responsibility towards the citizens and society,” he said.
The School which was established in 1951 by some railway officials and Bengali elite personalities has produced toppers in the past. However, the school was taken over by the Railways administration in 1996 with 1800 students on roll and 45 teachers from nursery to Class 10. Gradually, the condition of the school deteriorated and the Railways administration started closing down classes annually from nursery to higher classes. At one point of time, the school was even proposed to be closed but some concerned citizens approached the Court and prevented shutting down the school. Today, the enrolment of students has come down to 150 approximately but the school is steadily regaining its strength with the initiative of ex-students of the institution and surviving members of the erstwhile managing committee.
The Minister expressed sadness to learn about the decline of the school which was among the first schools in the state and produced eminent personalities had to now depend on court rulings for its survival. He expressed the hope that the school would regain its glorious days in serving the people. Yitachu said the people cannot be isolated on any issue and called for the need to engage people for their active participation.
The Minister appealed the railway officials to revive the school and make it a model school so that it attracts all sections of students irrespective of their community. Yitachu said he would communicate with the Union Minister of State for Railways, Rajen Gohain who would be the Chief Guest during the closing ceremony of the anniversary to look into the interest of the Dimapur Railway High School. He also assured of taking up the matter with the Chief Minister of the State.
Lauding the pioneers of the school, Guest of Honour, Shiladitya Dev MLA from Hojai, Assam said that the school which has a rich history cannot be seen to be sinking. “The school has to go up with flying colours in the days to come,” he added. Dev also assured of speaking with Rajen Gohain to do something for the school.
The anniversary programme was organized by Ex-Students’ Forum of Dimapur Railway High School and attended by a host of dignitaries and invitees. During the programme, the Muslim Council Dimapur distributed school uniforms to 10 students from poor families.
