Morung Express News
Kohima | June 28
“Government teachers in general are better paid and well-qualified,” K Tokugha Sukhalu, Rtd. IAS Advisor, School Education, Government of Nagaland today asserted while calling the SSA teachers conglomerate in Nagaland to deliberate on hard facts- where he said enrollment in many SSA schools has not been increasing or no enrollment at all in some cases.
“It is very wrong to pay teachers when there are no students enrolled,” he argued while looking at the general purview of government teachers which has been marred by reports of engaging ‘proxy’ and attitude of not wanting to take the place of posting.
The Advisor to School Education was addressing the 1st General Conference of the Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers' Association (NSSATA) at Kohima College today under the theme, “Transformational Teachers.”
He then called the teachers to be committed and sincere in their calling and appealed School Management Committee to check such practices.
The NSSATA 2010 and 2013 with a total strength of 2730 members has been vocal in demanding the body’s grievances which the advisor cited as issue which were both ‘intentional and unintentional.’ Stating that although the state government and concerned department take cognizance of the anomaly on their part, Sukhalu said it is difficult to address the “grievances of more than 60 associations at one go.” However, he assured renewed and continuous support to the body.
Sukhalu also emphasized that the need of the hour in Nagaland, particularly for government schools is quality education. Towards this he challenged the teachers’ to be par excellent in their profession adding, “I see a vast school of talents in you, explore and rededicate yourself to your calling.”
Menukhol John, Principal Secretary, School Education & SCERT lamented the fragmentation in the department when the need is felt for coming together towards building a strong foundation for human resources.
While the rights of the teachers are important, John at the same time reiterated that their responsibilities towards the students are equally important as they are entrusted with the huge task of building future generation.
He emphasized on the need to reverse the trend that government schools do not perform and function, government teachers keep proxy neither attend their classes.
Wongthungo Tsopoe, Director, School Education recounted the quality of teaching in the past when teachers were less educated but were more committed yet vice versa today when teachers are well qualified but less committed while calling for introspection. He called them to be agents of change, hone the skills and abilities of children for a better society.
In the second session, Fr. Dr P. Suresh Innocent, Principal, Don Bosco College, Kohima gave a motivational talk.
Meanwhile, the new team of NSSATA for the tenure will be led by as Penthungo Y Yanthan as President, Thejangulie Kirha as General Secretary, Reito Linus as Finance Secretary and 14 other members.
