‘Nagaland in need of a proactive education’

School holiday on September 6 in honour of teachers

Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 5  

Minister for School Education and Parliamentary Affairs, Tokheho Yepthomi on Tuesday voiced concern that Nagaland State of the day faces numerous challenges particularly in the field of education and expounded on the need of a “proactive education.”  

Addressing the state level Teachers’ Day celebration held here at the state capital, Yepthomi termed it as “precarious” the foundation that is being laid today for the future generation while keeping in mind the overwhelming number of educated unemployed youths sitting idle in the state today.  

With high rate of unemployed youths and lack of vocational training, the newly inducted minister for school education questioned whether “we are looking for the cure” or only a respite from our predicament. He felt it was high time that “we proactively act instead of being reactive to problems.”  

Yepthomi also stated that tough decisions need to be taken up while remarking, “We have to displease a few and rescue lakhs of students and our future. We cannot allow what is happening at the present moment.”  

On the occasion, the school education minister also urged the teachers to strive for excellence and commit oneself for igniting knowledge and imparting quality of education. Yepthomi exhorted that teaching is a noble profession as the teachers are the real source of knowledge and wisdom, adding that teachers are the key to the future of our state and nation.  

The school education minister also announced that as per the direction of the ministry of human resources development, Government of India, teachers from Nagaland appointed before September 3, 2001 would be exempted from Teachers Eligibility Test (TET).  

Principal Director, School Education, Smita Sarangi pointed out that while parents play an important role in shaping the lives of their children, it is the teachers who are endowed with a greater role because they shape and bring up generations.  

Advisor to All Nagaland Private Schools Association (ANPSA), Pheluopfelie Kesiezie informed that under ANPSA, there are approximately 15,000 to 20,000 teachers. Also around 75% of high schools and higher secondary school students in Nagaland are studying in private schools.  

He also reminded the teachers of the three cardinal statute of education i.e. “Heart”, which represents the value of education, “Head”, representing intelligence/knowledge and “Hand”, symbolizing the practical side of education. Teachers’ Day messages from Nagaland’s Governor PB Acharya and Chief Minister TR Zeliang were also read out at the function.  

Sixteen (16) teachers selected from all over the schools of Nagaland were awarded with the “State Award to Teachers 2017” in recognition for their meritorious service. The award was given away by the school education minister. It was also announced that September 6, 2017 would be a holiday for all the schools across the state in honour of teachers.  

2 from Nagaland get National Teachers Award

Two teachers from Nagaland were conferred with “National Awards to Teachers’ this year. They were Mhabeni Murry, primary teacher, GPS Wokha and Teisovilhou Koza, senior graduate teacher, GHSS Pfutsero, Phek district. The award was presented today by Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.