Minphong Konyak
Mon | November 3
Phomching area consisting of more than 10 villages bordering Myanmar and Arunachal is one of the remotest areas in India though it is merely 40 to 50 kms away from headquarter. The sub-division was officially declared in the late 1960s but it was more for political ends rather than administrative convenience as it shows. Communication and transport is a far cry with hardly a few four-wheeled vehicles plying once a week. But apart from other setbacks, education is worst hit.
The first Government Primary School (GPS) was set up at Phomching town way back in the 1970s and upgraded to Middle Elementary School (MES) only recently. There is no high school in the entire area. Most of the GPS lack basic amenities like proper teaching staff, infrastructure, furniture etc., while in Longwa GPS there are no desks in nursery classes. Despite so much effort, the noble SSA seems not to have influenced the area because only barbed wires are seen in place of a boundary wall and tin and thatch latrines etc. The medium of instruction is a confusing mixture of English, nagamese and local dialect. Inspite of all these problems, many from the area have overcome the hardships and have graduated even though given half the chances. Many are in higher studies like law, engineering, master degree, etc.
Justifying the poor performance in educational sector, several teachers opined that there should be a high school in the area. They pointed out that apart from other technical problems most students have developed a “detrimental mind-set” that is, to reach class 8 standard and thus quite schooling. “Since they (students) have practically not seen and heard about class 10 and above in the area, they are unaware and their concept of education is to reach class 8 standards which is the ultimate for them,” a teacher apprised. Teachers also pointed out as to why there is no high school in the area. Records show that the yearly class 7 pass-out result is too less to enable the establishment of a high school according to government norms.
Due to this inadequacy of enrollment, ME schools have not been upgraded to high school in the areas although the area’s people have reportedly approached the government. But there is concern from both by teachers and people. They express the need for a high school to be established because in the absence of a high school in the area, students tend to inculcate a “very narrow scope” as far as higher schooling is concerned. Moreover, many are of the opinion that instead of waiting for enough enrollments to start a high school, it will be far better and productive if a high school section is opened. It will have a great impact on their present narrow mindedness and may change their concept of education and thus create more high school students than the current rate. Infact, in other areas too high schools were opened way back in the 50s and 60s even though there was less enrolment but it has definitely helped the progress of education as we see today.
Morung Express News
