Says Department neglecting grassroots level school students
Kiphire, October 29 (MExN): The Nagaland Department of School Education (DoSE) has been asked to depute teachers to the Government Primary School, Khongka within 15 days or the Khongka Students’ Union (KSU) would take further ‘democratic steps’ to address the issue of teacher shortage.
In a press release, KSU president Thrunso stated that the school which has an enrolment of 108 students, was being run by a single teacher although it was recognised by the department since 1984 and was also awarded by SDEO Pungro in 2021 for “outstanding performance” of five students.
In spite of the efforts and initiative taken by the Village Council, Village Education Committee (VEC) and Students’ Union of the village to take the school forward, “it is very sad to mention that the Department of School education is neglecting the school in many ways,” the KSU stated in the release.
The GPS Khongka is situated approximately 250 kms away from the District HQ, Kiphire. The village nearing international border of India and Myanmar seems to be a reason why is it badly neglected, it added.
According to the KSU, apart from infrastructural development, the academic session 2022 began with three teachers but by midyear, the teachers were transferred without any reliever/replacement.
It said that the department’s reason for transfer of teacher was ‘rationalization,’ and as such questioned if rationalization meant that “the teachers has to be transferred from the school where there are good enrolment” or if the DoSE’s policy is that the schools in far flung areas have to run only with a single teacher.
The KSU went on to state that the village council, VECs and students union have apprised the concerned department of the grievances on many occasions with no positive response till date.
It questioned if the students in far areas less important than those students in town areas, while adding that the student community in particular have lost all hope for the future generation if the same trend continuous.
Further questioning if the grassroots level have not right to be imparted with quality education, the KSU urged the department to into the matter and appoint the required teachers within 15 days.
It cautioned that the student community would be forced to take further ‘democratic steps’ if the department fails to consider the appeal.
