Kohima, October 26 (MExN): The All Nagaland Private Schools Association (ANPSA) Central held its annual general body meeting on October 24 at Baptist High, Kohima. An official release issued by the Association informed that the meeting was attended by 101 delegates from an equal number of private schools from all over Nagaland.
While presenting the annual report Nini Sekhose, General Secretary said that as employment generators, private schools are second only to the government. Private schools are employing more than 30,000 teaching and non teaching staff in the State. She lamented that although 75% of the students populations are in private schools, the private school have no say in the formulation of education policies.
“The Government is the regulator, the financier and the provider of education all rolled into one. Such a system does not bode well both for private as well as Government schools. It is important that a neutral body exists for formulating education policies,” she lamented.
Presently the State Level Education Committee is the highest Education Policy making body of the State. This body formulates education policies for schools under School Education and NBSE. “However, this body is thoroughly populated by Government officials only without any representation from the private schools. It is very important that Private Schools be represented in this body,” she alleged while adding that ANPSA has already written to the Government to include the president of ANPSA Central in the SLEC. “Response from the Government is awaited,” she added.
Highlighting the achievements of ANPSA, she said that one of the most important changes taking place in ANPSA is the feeling of fraternity that is arising among the schools. “The Schools now come together to collaborate rather than to compete. Problems are shared and solutions arrived at corporately,” she shared.
Earlier, the meeting was chaired by Bithungo Kikon, President, ANPSA Central. In his opening remark, the president said that private schools are facing extraordinary times. “Today private schools are being punished for performing well in their duties. Attempts to curtail the autonomy of private schools are being felt. However, we will continue to do well no matter what,” he affirmed.
Daniel Konyak, President of Private Schools' Association, Mon spoke on the challenges faced by Private schools in the interior Districts. He spoke about communication problems and how it took a school about five days to commute from Mon to Kohima for routine works. He requested that the Board may consider having a branch attached to the SDEO office Mon from where routine works could be accomplished.
Fr. Felix Montero spoke on the Pros and Cons of introducing Board exams in Classes 4 and 8. The meeting ended with lively discussions and brain storming on various matters. Pheluopfelie, Advisor, ANPSA Central closed the4 meeting with prayer.
Fr. Jacob Charale, Secretary, Catholic Education Commission and Vice President ANPSA, invoked God’s presence. Students of Little Flower Hr. Secondary School, Kohima presented the welcome song.
