Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 5
A series of research studies reports based on the issues and problems faced by the government schools in Nagaland was released here today by Menukhol John, Principal Secretary School Education & SCERT, Nagaland.
This research and survey works was done by State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) Nagaland and DIETs during 2017-18 as part of ‘Year of Research’ for the department of SCERT.
Among the many research works includes; Survey on school based statistics in Nagaland, study on the factors influencing the performance of children in science and mathematics, impact of social media on the academic performance of Class X students of Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur districts, teacher educator, mother tongue etc.
Addressing the function, Menukhol John said the ultimate benefit of this research studies would depend how on “we use to further improve our performances.” He was optimistic that the data, findings and various recommendations came through this research studies would enable the department to improve education system in the state.
SCERT Director T. Sekhose believed that the research studies reports are going to be most helpful for all education related departments in the state. He said this research and survey works are diagnostic tool in education which help us to arrive at conclusion to know the ground reality of education system. He also invited even suggestion from the sister departments if they feel that certain topics which need to be incorporated and addressed. Sekhose said the department would be grateful if anyone can submit any topic of concern.
SCERT Additional Director Kezhalenuo Kesiezie said that SCERT has conducted 15 studies during 2017-18 covering different areas of important topics based on the issues and problems being faced mostly by the government schools in Nagaland.
She said, in education, quality is generally measured by a number of indicators such as performance of the students, school results, performance of teachers and their professional trainings, absenteeism of students, school drop-out, students enrolment and retention, inclusive education for PWD, school infrastructure with toilet facility, drinking water facility, school health provision of students essential requirements such as regular and timely supply of text books, school uniform, school library etc.
However, she said despite the intervention of so many centrally sponsored schemes put into the schooling system, the performances and the results of the government schools have not shown any encouraging results.
“Unfortunately, there is no indication of impact of the various interventions put into the schooling system. Hence, there has been a lot of public criticism against the government school in Nagaland in recent years as the government schools have been showing very poor results and performance in many aspects,” she said adding that some of the important indicators such as the public examinations of HSLCE & HSSLCE results, National achievement test for elementary schools, NEET result etc. have shown a very poor impression on the government schools in Nagaland.
In this respect, she said the SCERT and DIETs have decided to declare the year 2017 as the ‘Year of Research’ to conduct research on some of the most pressing and pertinent issues and problem of education being faced by the state.
She said one of the strong reasons for the department conducting the research studies covering a number of topics and areas is to diagnose and identify the factual shortcomings and the contributory factors in the miserable performances of the government schools in Nagaland and to remedy the problems.
Stating that remedial measures can be taken up only after ascertaining the contributory factors and causes through empirical studies and findings as the public criticism are mostly based on assumptions, theories and beliefs, she said “Therefore, the endeavor made by the SCERT and DIETs in conducting the research studies and bringing out the findings in the form of a research report today is going to be of high value and importance which will be put in the public domain for remedial measures as we feel the need and importance of a holistic approach in the solution of our educational problem.”
The department desire that the concerned department, particularly the school education make use of the findings of those research studies with all seriousness in order to remedy the multiple educational problems being faced by the state today.
“It is also suggested that the state government make use of the findings of the research studies in the formulation of appropriate policy in order to address the various problems being faced by the state,” she added.
Six research teams presented their respective research works and findings while vote of thanks was proposed by SCERT joint director C. Kikon.
